Understanding the European Age of Exploration: Spain's Journey to South America

The European Age of Exploration, marked by significant voyages starting in the late 15th century, was driven by a combination of economic, religious, and territorial motivations. One pivotal event was the Spanish expedition to South America, which began with Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Caribbean in 1492. This journey was not just about finding a new route to the Far East but also about claiming new territories and resources for wealth and power.

Gold, Glory, and God: The Triple Motivation

The explorers of that era had three primary motivations: gold, to enrich themselves and their countries; glory, to gain prestige and power; and God, to spread Christianity. This triple alliance of economics, prestige, and spiritual expansion is what propelled the Spanish and other European nations to explore the unknown.

Columbus and the Long Road to South America

Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer seeking a western route to Asia, reached the Caribbean in 1492, believing he had found an island in India. However, it was the beginning of a significant phase in European history. Other explorers soon followed, driven by the same motivations. They sought to get rich, flex their power through territorial acquisitions, and propagate Christianity.

The spice trade was another significant factor. The desire for exotic spices like pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg pushed European powers to explore new routes to the East, which they found in the Americas through the Atlantic Ocean.

Maps, Vikings, and the Reality of Pre-Columbian America

Despite popular conceptions, there was already a certainty about the Earth being a sphere, and maps depicting potential landmasses to the west existed. Historical evidence suggests that early explorers and even pre-Columbian cultures had knowledge of the Americas. The presence of crosses in South America prior to Columbus's arrival and documented accounts of Viking explorations support this idea. However, the reality is that it was Columbus and the Spanish who claimed the new land and opened the routes. Columbus believed he had reached the East until his death, even though history proves otherwise.

The Portuguese Connection and the Distance Miscalculation

The Portuguese, who had already been successful in trade through Africa and Southeast Asia, were the ones who brought wealth to the Spanish crown. This economic success led to Columbus selling his idea to the Spanish king and queen, Ferdinand and Isabella. However, Columbus miscalculated the distance to the Indies, leading him to land in the Caribbean instead of South America. This miscalculation played a crucial role in the subsequent Spanish expeditions to South America and the eventual colonization of the continent.

In conclusion, the reasons behind the Spanish journey to South America and other European explorations were multi-faceted and deeply rooted in economic, religious, and political motivations. The Age of Exploration was a transformative period in human history, marked by significant changes that shaped the modern world as we know it.