R1215thand16th2

12. Relations between Europe and other parts of the world: colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and global interdependence Christopher Columbus was an Italian navigator and explorer who was hired by the Spanish monarchy to travel around the world in search of ways to help the country funding his expeditions prosper economically. He also tried to colonize as many places as possible, not only for money but for Christianity. He traveled at a time when nations wanted to grow in size and looked to imperialism and colonization as the answer. Queen Isabella, of Spain, funded his expedition to what is now known as the Indies. Columbus believed he had landed in India and therefore called the natives “Indios", which later influenced the name given to their land. He discovered America, and many other lands in search of riches.

McKay, John P. __A History of Western Society__. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003