History UsefulNotes / ChristopherColumbus

* He was portrayed by Creator/GerardDepardieu in the 1992 Creator/RidleyScott film ''Film/FourteenNinetyTwoConquestOfParadise''.
* George Corraface portrayed him in ''Christopher Columbus: The Discovery'', which, like ''1492'' above, came out in 1992, [[MilestoneCelebration for the 500th anniversary]] of Columbus' transatlantic voyage.

On his most famous voyage, the 1492 transatlantic trip in the ships ''Niña'', ''Pinta'', and ''Santa Maria'', he was searching for a route to "India", which at the time meant Asia--specifically, he was hoping to find Japan. When he finally reached land, all he could tell was that the natives were neither Japanese nor Chinese, and so he was at a loss to figure out where he really was. Figuring he'd landed on some previously-unknown part of Asia, he referred to the natives generically as "Indians", and the island chain as the "East Indies". (Today, we've corrected this second mistake, and refer to these islands as the ''West'' Indies.) On his third voyage, in 1498, he realized he'd found a hitherto-unknown continent (South America), but he never learned that he hadn't come close to reaching Asia.

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', he appears as the Rider of the Resistance in the Agartha chapter. The game shows both the good and the bad side of him, as while he did do a lot of immoral things once he discovered America which still carries over to the modern day, he is still an excellent leader and a bold adventurer, albeit ''extremely'' self-centered beneath all that. In practice, he's mostly portrayed as a BitchInSheepsClothing who used his aforementioned positive qualities as a mask to cover his more selfish desires and [[CardCarryingVillain revels in being called a villain and going down in history as a mass murderer]] as long as he can keep up with [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil promoting slavery]], something he refused to let go of, despite the fact that other Heroic Spirits used to utilize slavery but eventually let it go to 'keep up with the times', because, as far as Columbus is concerned, slavery is still one of the best ways to accumulate profit. His playable/summonable incarnation is a bit less wicked, but still somewhat self-centered.

On his most famous voyage, the 1492 transatlantic trip in the ships ''Niña'', ''Pinta'', and ''Santa Maria'', he was searching for a route to "India", which at the time meant Asia--specifically, he was hoping to find Japan. When he finally reached land, all he could tell was that the natives were neither Japanese nor Chinese, and so he was at a loss to figure out where he really was. Figuring he'd landed on some previously-unknown part of Asia, he referred to the natives generically as "Indians," and the island chain as the "East Indies". (Today, we've corrected this second mistake, and refer to these islands as the ''West'' Indies.) On his third voyage, in 1498, he realized he'd found a hitherto-unknown continent (South America), but he never learned that he hadn't come close to reaching Asia.

He and his brother Bartholomew together conceived of an "enterprise of the Indies," a way to sail directly to the Orient without having to go through the Turkish-controlled land route or the very long route beyond Africa. Columbus argued that the world was smaller than what common scholarship held, and that Japan was very, very far east of China, which was in turn very, very far east of where it actually was. He believed the world was smaller than it was because while he was sailing in the Portuguese Canary Islands, he would often hear rumors of driftwood floating over from west. So while he was right in assuming something was close by, he was wrong in thinking it was Asia. He was right on one more count though, that the "Easterly" winds off the coast of Africa could propel a sailing ship a great distance in relatively little time.

He went to Portugal in 1485 and presented his plan, along with a demand that he be made "Great Admiral of the Ocean," appointed governor of any lands he discovered, and received 10% of revenue derived from anything he found. The Portuguese flatly rejected his proposal, and the English simultaneously rejected a similar proposal made by his brother. Then Columbus went to the Spanish, who held a similar opinion but decided to keep him around by paying him not to go anywhere else. This was in 1489.

Many historians have credited Columbus for the European colonization of the Americas, which involves [[HegemonicEmpire many Europeans battling each other for colonies and land in the New World]], [[RapePillageAndBurn looting and destroying many tribes for gold and valuable resources]], [[AMillionIsAStatistic massacres of populations to take their land]], and [[CulturePolice forced destruction of native cultures]]. Most Indian victims however were claimed by the European diseases, which their immune systems could not handle. Although obviously, how many Europeans approached the New World and the Native American tribes varied. [[note]]The Spanish and the Portuguese ruled over and mixed with the natives; meanwhile, the French goal was less seeking to take control of the natives lands and more [[ProudMerchantRace establishing lucrative trading relationships with them]]. The English were mostly fleeing from political persecutions in their home country, and intentionally separated themselves from neighboring native tribes. It should be noted that most of the atrocities occurred after Columbus arrived, [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade so people blaming them on him might not be entirely fair]].[[/note]] For much of the 20th century, Columbus Day was a popular holiday celebrated in many New World countries on October 12th, though as modern sensibilities bring more light to Columbus' true nature, the tradition has begun to be downplayed (in some parts the United States, it's taken on the new name of Indigenous People's Day, for obvious reasons).

Many historians have credited Columbus for the European colonization of the Americas, which involves [[HegemonicEmpire many Europeans battling each other for colonies and land in the New World]], [[RapePillageAndBurn looting and destroying many tribes for gold and valuable resources]], [[AMillionIsAStatistic massacres of populations to take their land]], and [[CulturePolice forced destruction of native cultures]]. Most Indian victims however were claimed by the European diseases, which their immune systems could not handle. Although obviously, how many Europeans approached the New World and the Native American tribes varied. [[note]]The Spanish and the Portuguese ruled over and mixed with the natives; meanwhile, the French goal was less seeking to take control of the natives lands and more [[ProudMerchantRace establishing lucrative trading relationships with them]]. The English were mostly fleeing from political persecutions in their home country, and intentionally separated themselves from neighboring native tribes. It should be noted that most of the atrocities occurred after Columbus arrived, [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade so people blaming them on him might not be entirely fair]].[[/note]] For much of the 20th century, Columbus Day was a popular holiday celebrated in many countries on October 12th, though as modern sensibilities bring more light to Columbus true nature, the tradition has begun to be downplayed (in some parts the United States, it's taken on the new name of Indigenous People's Day, for obvious reasons).

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', he appears as the Rider of the Resistance in the Agartha chapter. The game shows both the good and the bad side of him, as while he did do a lot of immoral things once he discovered America which still carries over to the modern day, he is still an excellent leader and a bold adventurer, albeit ''extremely'' self-centered beneath all that. In practice, he's mostly portrayed as a BitchInSheepsClothing who used his aforementioned positive qualities as a mask to cover his more selfish desires and [[CardCarryingVillain revels in being called a villain and going down in history as a mass murderer]] as long as he can keep up with [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil promoting slavery]], something he refused to let go of, despite the fact that other Heroic Spirits used to utilize slavery but eventually let it go to 'keep up with the times', because, as far as Columbus is concerned, slavery is still one of the best ways to accumulate profit.

Many historians have credited Columbus for the European colonization of the Americas, which involves [[HegemonicEmpire many Europeans battling each other for colonies and land in the New World]], [[RapePillageAndBurn looting and destroying many tribes for gold and valuable resources]], [[AMillionIsAStatistic massacres of populations to take their land]], and [[CulturePolice forced destruction of native cultures]]. Most Indian victims however were claimed by the European diseases, which their immune systems could not handle. Although obviously, how many Europeans approached the New World and the Native American tribes varied. [[note]]The Spanish and the Portuguese ruled over and mixed with the natives; meanwhile, the French goal was less seeking to take control of the natives lands and more [[ProudMerchantRace establishing lucrative trading relationships with them]]. The English were mostly fleeing from political persecutions in their home country, and intentionally separated themselves from neighboring native tribes. It should be noted that most of the atrocities occurred after Columbus arrived, [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade so people blaming them on him might not be entirely fair]].[[/note]] For much of the 20th century, Columbus Day was a popular holiday celebrated in many countries on October 12th, though as modern sensibilities bring more light to Columbus true nature, the tradition has begun to be downplayed (in sone parts the United States, it's taken on the new name of Indigenous People's Day, for obvious reasons).

Many historians have credited Columbus for the European colonization of the Americas, which involves [[HegemonicEmpire many Europeans battling each other for colonies and land in the New World]], [[RapePillageAndBurn looting and destroying many tribes for gold and valuable resources]], [[AMillionIsAStatistic massacres of populations to take their land]], and [[CulturePolice forced destruction of native cultures]]. Most Indian victims however were claimed by the European diseases, which their immune systems could not handle. Although obviously, how many Europeans approached the New World and the Native American tribes varied. [[note]]The Spanish and the Portuguese ruled over and mixed with the natives; meanwhile, the French goal was less seeking to take control of the natives lands and more [[ProudMerchantRace establishing lucrative trading relationships with them]]. The English were mostly fleeing from political persecutions in their home country, and intentionally separated themselves from neighboring native tribes. It should be noted that most of the atrocities occurred after Columbus arrived, [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade so people blaming them on him might not be entirely fair]].[[/note]] For much of the 20th century, Columbus Day was a popular holiday celebrated in many countries on October 12th, though as modern sensibilities bring more light to Columbus true nature, the tradition has begun to be downplayed (in the United States, it's taken on the new name of Indigenous People's Day, for obvious reasons).

Many historians have credited Columbus for the European colonization of the Americas, which involves [[HegemonicEmpire many Europeans battling each other for colonies and land in the New World]], [[RapePillageAndBurn looting and destroying many tribes for gold and valuable resources]], [[AMillionIsAStatistic massacres of populations to take their land]], and [[CulturePolice forced destruction of native cultures]]. Most Indian victims however were claimed by the European diseases, which their immune systems could not handle. Although obviously, how many Europeans approached the New World and the Native American tribes varied. [[note]]The Spanish and the Portuguese ruled over and mixed with the natives; meanwhile, the French's goal was less seeking to take control of the natives lands and more [[ProudMerchantRace establishing peaceful and lucrative trading with them]]. Natives in English colonies were displaced outright. It should be noted that most of the atrocities occurred after Columbus arrived, [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade so people blaming them on him might not be entirely fair]].[[/note]] For much of the 20th century, Columbus Day was a popular holiday celebrated in many countries on October 12th, though as modern sensibilities bring more light to Columbus true nature, the tradition has begun to be downplayed (in the United States, it's taken on the new name of Indigenous People's Day, for obvious reasons).

* In ''Literature/PastwatchTheRedemptionOfChristopherColumbus'', he turns out to have led a crusade against Muslims in an alternate timeline. A time traveler's attempt at preventing this resulting in him discovering the Americas and enabling the centuries of genocide to follow. A second time travel attempt seeks to [[TitleDrop redeem Columbus]] and lead the Old World and New World civilizations to meet peacefully.

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', he appears as the Rider of the Resistance in the Agartha chapter. The game shows both the good and the bad side of him, as while he did do a lot of immoral things once he discovered America which still carries over to the modern day, he is still an excellent leader and a bold adventurer, albeit ''extremely'' self-centric beneath all that. In practice, he's mostly portrayed as a BitchInSheepsClothing who used his aforementioned positive qualities as a mask to cover his more selfish desires and [[CardCarryingVillain revels in being called a villain and going down in history as a mass murderer]] as long as he can keep up with [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil promoting slavery]], something he refused to let go despite the fact that other heroic spirits used to utilize slavery but eventually let it go to 'keep up with times', because as far as Columbus is concerned, slavery is still one of the best ways to accumulate profit.

He went to Portugal in 1485 and presented his plan, along with a demand that he be made "Great Admiral of the Ocean," appointed governor of any lands he discovered, and received 10% of revenue derived from anything he found. The Portuguese flatly rejected his proposal, and the English simultaneously rejected a similar proposal made by his brother. Then Christopher went to the Spanish, who held a similar opinion but decided to keep him around by paying him not to go anywhere else. This was in 1489.

Many historians have credited Columbus for the European colonization of the Americas, which involves [[HegemonicEmpire many Europeans battling each other for colonies and land in the New World]], [[RapePillageAndBurn looting and destroying many tribes for gold and valuable resources]], [[AMillionIsAStatistic massacres of populations to take their land]], and [[CulturePolice forced destruction of native cultures]]. Most Indian victims however were claimed by the European diseases, which their immune systems could not handle. Although obviously, how many Europeans approached the New World and the Native American tribes varied. [[note]]The Spanish and the Portuguese ruled over and mixed with the natives; meanwhile, the French's goal was less seeking to take control of the natives lands and more [[ProudMerchantRace establishing peaceful and lucrative trading with them]]. Natives in English colonies were displaced outright. It should be noted that most of the atrocities occurred after Colombus arrived, [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade so people blaming them on him might not be entirely fair]].[[/note]] For much of the 20th century, Columbus Day was a popular holiday celebrated in many countries on October 12th, though as modern sensibilities bring more light to Columbu's true nature, the tradition has begun to be downplayed (in the United States, it's taken on the new name of Indigenous People's Day, for obvious reasons).

After returning to Spain, Columbus was given 1500 men and 14 ships, and sent back to set up a colony. After it was set up, he left his brother in charge to explore more. In his absence, the other Spaniards brutalized the natives and he was unfairly blamed for it. He was sent back to Spain in chains, but Queen Isabella soon had him released. Though his property was returned to him, he did not get his governorship back. He explored more, landing in Venezuela and sailing along the Panama coast in search of a strait from which he could dial to Asia, but found none.[[note]]You probably know that the Panama Canal was man-made and opened in the early 20th century, four centuries after Columbus.[[/note]]

Many historians have credited Columbus for the European colonization of the Americas, which involves [[HegemonicEmpire many Europeans battling each other for colonies and land in the New World]], [[RapePillageAndBurn looting and destroying many tribes for gold and valuable resources]], [[AMillionIsAStatistic massacres of populations to take their land]], and [[CulturePolice forced destruction of native cultures]]. Most Indian victims however were claimed by the European diseases, which their immune systems could not handle. Although obviously, how many Europeans approached the New World and the Native American tribes varied. [[note]]The Spanish and the Portuguese ruled over and mixed with the natives; meanwhile, the French's goal was less seeking to take control of the natives lands and more [[ProudMerchantRace establishing peaceful and lucrative trading with them]]. Natives in English colonies were displaced outright. It should be noted that most of the atrocities occurred after Colombus arrived, [[HistoricalVillainUpgrade so people blaming them on him might not be entirely fair]].[[/note]] Many countries celebrate Columbus Day on October 12th as an official holiday since the early 20th Century, although considering the bloody events that followed the event, there are controversies about celebrating the anniversary.

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', he appears as the Rider of the Resistance in the Agartha chapter. The game shows both the good and the bad side of him, as while he did do a lot of immoral things once he discovered America which still carries over to the modern day, he is still an excellent leader and a bold adventurer, albeit ''extremely'' self-centric beneath all that. In practice, he's mostly portrayed as a BitchInSheepsClothing who used his aforementioned positive qualities as a mask to cover his more selfish desires and [[CardCarryingVillain revels in being called a villain and going down in history as a mass murderer]] as long as he can keep up with [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil promoting slavery]], something he refused to let go despite other heroic spirits that used to utilize but eventually let go to 'keep up with times', because as far as Columbus is concerned, slavery is still one of the best ways to accumulate profit.

* In ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'', he appears as the Rider of the Resistance in the Agartha chapter. The game shows both the good and the bad side of him, as while he did do a lot of immoral things once he discovered America which still carries over to the modern day, he is still an excellent leader and a bold adventurer, albeit ''extremely'' self-centric beneath all that.

As you probably know, he was ''not'' the first European to discover the Americas [[note]]The credit goes to Leif Erikson and UsefulNotes/{{the Viking|age}}s 500 years before Columbus. Ultimately their settlements at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland (Canada) failed and were largely forgotten until more recent times.[[/note]], but it was his efforts that led directly to the the Colombian Exchange, through which European exploration colonization shaped the Western Hemisphere, and with it the entire world, into its current form. An inestimable boon for the nations of Europe, though [[ThePurge considerably less advantageous]] for the [[UsefulNotes/NativeAmericans American indigenous natives]] (albeit mostly for [[ThePlague reasons not intended by anybody]]).

As you probably know, he was ''not'' the first European to discover the Americas [[note]]The credit goes to Leif Erikson and the [[HornyVikings Vikings]] 500 years before Columbus. Ultimately their settlements at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland (Canada) failed and were largely forgotten until more recent times.[[/note]], but it was his efforts that led directly to the the Colombian Exchange, through which European exploration colonization shaped the Western Hemisphere, and with it the entire world, into its current form. An inestimable boon for the nations of Europe, though [[ThePurge considerably less advantageous]] for the [[UsefulNotes/NativeAmericans American indigenous natives]] (albeit mostly for [[ThePlague reasons not intended by anybody]]).

Christopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo, Spanish: Cristóbal Colón, Portuguese: Cristóvão Colombo), born circa 1451 and died 20 May 1506, is a famous historical figure, known as the sailor who wanted to [[BoldExplorer find an easier trade route from Europe to Asia]] (NOT to prove the Earth was round, contrary to popular belief) only to discover the Americas during his travels. As you probably know, he was not the first European to discover the Americas [[note]]The credit goes to Leif Erikson and the [[HornyVikings Vikings]] 500 years before Columbus. Ultimately their settlements at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland (Canada) failed and were largely forgotten until more recent times.[[/note]], but it was his efforts that led directly to the the Colombian Exchange, through which European exploration colonization shaped the Western Hemisphere, and with it the entire world, into its current form. An inestimable boon for the nations of Europe, though [[ThePurge considerably less advantageous]] for the [[UsefulNotes/NativeAmericans American indigenous natives]] (albeit mostly for [[ThePlague reasons not intended by anybody]]).

Christopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo, circa 1451 – 20 May 1506) is a famous historical figure, known as the sailor who wanted to [[BoldExplorer find an easier trade route from Europe to Asia]] (NOT to prove the Earth was round, contrary to popular belief) only to discover the Americas during his travels. As you probably know, he was not the first European to discover the Americas [[note]]The credit goes to Leif Erikson and the [[HornyVikings Vikings]] 500 years before Columbus. Ultimately their settlements at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland (Canada) failed and were largely forgotten until more recent times.[[/note]], but it was his efforts that led directly to the the Colombian Exchange, through which European exploration colonization shaped the Western Hemisphere, and with it the entire world, into its current form. An inestimable boon for the nations of Europe, though [[ThePurge considerably less advantageous]] for the [[UsefulNotes/NativeAmericans American indigenous natives]] (albeit mostly for [[ThePlague reasons not intended by anybody]]).

[[caption-width-right:300:Columbus probably looked nothing like this.]]

After returning to Spain, Columbus was given 1500 men and 14 ships, and sent back to set up a colony. After it was set up, he left his brother in charge to explore more. In his absence, the other Spaniards brutalized the natives and he was unfairly blamed for it. He was sent back to Spain in chains, but Queen Isabella soon had him released. Though his property was returned to him, he did not get his governorship back. He explored more, landing in Venezuela and sailing along the Panama coast in search of a strait from which he could dial to Asia, but found none.

* Portrayed in ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicVoyage'' a [[SoBadItsGood strange]] [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory very-loose adaptation]], where he's voiced by Creator/DomDeLuise.

* Portrayed in ''WesternAnimation/TheMagicVoyage'' a [[DerangedAnimation strange]] [[VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory very-loose adaptation]], where he's voiced by Creator/DomDeLuise.