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The impact of Christopher Columbus's first transatlantic voyage launched an unprecedented explosion of European exploration. Throughout the last 500 years, scholars have recognized this transforming event, and they have written extensively on the subject. To date, no American author has dedicated a book to Columbus's life before 1492. This biography does so, with a focus on geographical experiences that affected his formulation of a transatlantic concept.
Incorporating extensive research from American and European scholars (historians, geographers, anthropologists, and cartographers), the author proposes that Columbus systematically built a transatlantic voyage proposal from knowledge gained on previous voyages in the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean. The book's extensive use of maps place Columbus's actions on specific land and ocean locations. Persons interested in gleaning more information about Columbus's maritime background will find a plethora of maps to visualize the extent of his early travels.
List of contents
Table of ContentsList of Maps
Foreword by Ilaria Luzzana Caraci
Preface
Introduction
1.¿Youth and Early Adventures, 1451-1476
Young Columbus in the World of Genoese Mediterranean Mercantilism
The Expanding Mediterranean World of Columbus
Columbus Enters the Atlantic Ocean
2.¿The Ottoman Threat, 1453-1481
Muslim (Ottoman) Expansion in the Eastern Mediterranean
Genoese Colonies in the Black Sea Fall to Ottomans
Ottoman Atrocities and an Attack on Italy
3.¿History of Atlantic Exploratory Expansion
Atlantic Exploratory Voyages, Stage 1: Phoenician
Atlantic Exploratory Voyages, Stage 2: Roman Expansion of the Mediterranean and Extension into the Atlantic
Atlantic Exploratory Voyages, Stage 3A: Medieval (Vikings)
Atlantic Exploratory Voyages, Stage 3B: Medieval (Genoa and Venice)
Atlantic Exploratory Voyages, Stage 4: North Atlantic Fishing and Zones of Opportunity
4.¿Columbus Explores the North Atlantic, 1476-1478
Columbus in Portugal and His Life in Lisbon
Columbus Sails North to England, 1476 or 1477
Columbus and the Five Zones of Habitation
From England to Iceland and Beyond, 1477
Did Columbus Sail to Iceland?
Is Thule Really Greenland?
The Problem with Ancient and Medieval Translations
5.¿Marriage, Madeira, Porto Santo, and the African Coast, 1478-1481
Columbus Heads South
Columbus Marries
The Importance of the Islands of Porto Santo and Madeira
The Enterprise to the Indies Is Conceived
1482 and the Psychology of Discovery
The African Coast, São Jorge da Mina, and the Equatorial Region
The Alonso Sánchez Mystery, 1482
¿6.¿Columbus and Slavery Before 1492
Questions to Frame the Discussion
Slavery in the 15th Century
Columbus's Early Experience with Slavery
New World Indigenous Slavery Before Columbus
Columbus and Slavery, 1492
¿7.¿The Toscanelli Map and King João II (Portugal), 1483-1485
Columbus Builds a Transatlantic Concept
The Toscanelli Letter and Atlantic Geography
Portuguese Atlantic Exploration
Muslim Expansion in Africa and King João's Response
¿8.¿Columbus Builds His Cartographic Support
Christopher and Bartholomew Columbus's Mapmaking Business
The Ptolemy World Map and the Size of Asia
1452 Leardo Map
1457 Genoese Map
1459 Fra Mauro Map
Toscanelli Map and the Small Earth Concept
Antillia and the Pareto Chart
¿9.¿Columbus Wins Approval from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, 1485-1492
Columbus Moves to Spain
Columbus Meets Ferdinand and Isabella Again
Columbus Back in Portugal and the Dias Voyage
Friar Juan Pérez, the Martellus Map, and the Behaim Globe
The Columbus Plan and Atlantic Zones of Opportunity
A New Plan and a New Approach, 1489-1492
Expected Zones of First Contact
10.¿Columbus's Geographic Perspectives on the Eve of His 1492 Voyage
Columbian View of the Atlantic World
Perceptions of a Columbian Exchange
A Future for Social Globalism
The Problem of Geographic Complexity
Acknowledgments
Chapter Notes
Sources and Bibliography
Index
About the author
Al M. Rocca is a professor emeritus of history and education at Simpson University in Redding, California. He has taught as an adjunct professor in history and geography at California State University, Monterey Bay. He served as editor of the Social Studies Review (California Council for the Social Studies) for many years and served as a member on several statewide committees constructing or reviewing history and social science educational materials and programs. He lives in Chico, California.
