The Voyages of the Explorers to the New World, Misunderstood Motivations

The voyages of the explorers to the New World, misunderstood motivations

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Although it is said that Norse sailors were the first people to start the American colonization in the 10th century as they explored the shores of present-day Greenland and Canada, the effective race to the New World as we know it today likely began in 1492 when Christopher Columbus undertook his enterprise to the Indies with the support of the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. Columbus was followed by many other explorers who were interested in America. The explorers sailed to the New World in order to acquire riches and wealth for their nation; they also desired to obtain personal wealth and a status among their population; however, explorers can also be seen as emissaries spreading the European culture and religion in America.

The expeditions to the New World, led by the explorers and their respective monarchs and kings, were presumable consequences of colonialism, which is defined as the attitude of gaining full or partial control over another territory while exploiting it economically. Powerful European nations had a high interest in expanding their territory towards America. Indeed, to procure new land for a nation means to increase its military power and status. An aspect which also persuaded the empires to sponsor those expeditions was the knowledge of how rich the New World's fauna and flora was. Columbus exemplifies these facts in his letter to the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella by stating, “The lands which here obey Your Highnesses are more extensive and richer than all other Christian lands.” (Columbus 27)

Not only did the New World attract Europe's most powerful nations, it also gained the personal interests of the explorers. The attainableness of acquiring personal wealth and riches, as well as that of a higher social status most likely convinced the explorers to undertake their adventures to America. Certainly, the opportunities of the New World were promising and this attitude towards their voyage consequently takes away their appearance of simple emissaries. Both Columbus and De Vaca epitomize in their letters to their respective monarchs that they were promised a certain reward after the success of their missions. However, as Columbus illustrates in his letter how he was dishonored at his return as his riches and status were taken away from him. In his letter, “The Relation of Àlvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca”, De Vaca exemplifies his expectations at his return by stating, “I can say for myself that I undertook the march abroad, on royal authorization, with a firm trust that my service would be as evident and distinguished as my ancestors', and that I would not need to speak to be counted among those of Your Majesty honors for diligence and fidelity in affairs of state.” (De Vaca 30) With this statement, De Vaca shows that his voyage was also incited by personal achievement.