wledge of Portuguese discoveries and plans. In 1481, he entered the service of King John II of Portugal and voyaged to the gold coasts of Africa. During that time the wealth of Asia was being discovered and Europeans were eager for more of it. Asian goods had to be brought over to Europe through a perilous overland route which made them scarce and expensive. Ships could carry the good more cheaply and with greater quantity. To reach India, China, Japan and the East Indies the Portuguese were trying to make a route that stretched all around the coast of Africa for trading. Another possibility was across the Atlantic Ocean. At the time all educated men knew that the world was round and that Asia was west of Europe. But, no one knew how far it was. Columbus studies lead him to believe that the Earth was much smaller than it really was so Asia was a lot farther than he thought. He made his calculations based on evidence from sources such as the Bible, the writing of Marco Polo, and Pierre dAillys Imago Mundi (picture of the world). He only accepted the information that supported his beliefs and he rejected everything else. Columbus was determined to cross the Atlantic over to the Indies but he could not accomplish this without ships and men. He asked King John II of Portugal for support but his committee decided that his plan was too unsound and he was refused. Meanwhile, his wife had died. Columbus took his son Diego and went back to Spain to seek supporters. He left his son in the care of Friars in the monastery of La Rabida. In Spain, Columbus made a number of influential friends who helped him present his plan to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Even thought they were busy conducting a war against the Moors in Grenada, they appointed a commission to examine Columbus proposal. The commission postponed making the decision and Columbus was left wa...
