jan 5, 1492 - Spanish Exploration

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-Sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (the state, thus exploration was dependent on government direction and intervention)
-Spain was united under Catholicism and reconquered the Iberian peninsula from Muslims so they wanted to find economic benefits like Portugal (mercantilist economy - wealth via gold and silver) and spread Catholicism
-In 1492 Columbus sailed to find a sea route to Asia and to prove the Earth was round
-Portugal controlled Africa, Italians controlled the Mediterranean, so he had to go West
-Landed in the Caribbean (thought it was East Indies)
-"Indians" were friendly, but Columbus saw their gold jewelry and took samples and slaves back

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