In 1492, Christopher Columbus made an unexpected discovery of the Americas while attempting to complete his “Indian Enterprise” supported by the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella (Levine 58). Columbus' goal for his voyage was to find an alternate route to Asia from the Atlantic due to popular demand for spices (Levine 58). Instead, he discovered something much more: a new, unknown land with futuristic opportunities. Columbus' discoveries marked the birth and beginning of American history, and it was shaped by his discoveries, actions, and encounters with the Indians. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Columbus wrote to Luis de Santangel, the financier of his first voyage, titled “Letter of Discovery,” on February 15, 1493, about what he discovered (Levine 59). He goes on to tell Santagel about the five islands he names, including San Salvador, Isla de Santa Maria de Concepcion, Fernandina, Isabella and Isla Juana, and explains that the land is so vast that he thought it was on the mainland of Catayo, also known as China (Levine 59). Columbus sails to discover “Española” and discusses the great rivers and mountains that host it (Levine 60). He describes the earth with admiration as follows: "All are most beautiful, of thousands of shapes, and all are accessible and filled with trees of a thousand kinds and of great size, and they seem to touch the sky", and goes on to describe graphically the flowers, fruits, greenery, birds and honey (Levine 60). Columbus also discovered some natural resources on his first voyage, as he mentioned the Indians who gave him gold as gifts and wore copper plates to serve as armor and protection for Santangel (Levine 60-63). Columbus discovers not only a new land, but also the humans who inhabit this land. He describes the people, whom he calls "Indians", as "the inhabitants of this island and of all the other islands which I have found and about which I have information, all go naked, men and women..." ( Levine 60). . Columbus goes on to write to Santagel about the lack of metal and weapons, only one made of canes, and describes the greatness of the people's timidity as they fled as Columbus reached the shore (Levine 60). He explains how generous and loving the people are, and “they are convinced that I, with these ships and these men, have come from the heavens” (Levine 61). Columbus gives vivid details of what he saw when he discovered the new lands, but it is the actions to come that have a great effect on America. After discovering the new world, Christopher Columbus becomes a changed man, focused on wealth and conquering the new world. , and is described as "a man whose good motives have been corrupted by his evil motives" (Berner). He discovered how fearful and gullible the Indians were, and Columbus wrote in his letter: "I took some of them by force, that they might learn and give me information of what is happening in these regions, and that is how they quickly understood us, as well as us, either by speech or by signs, and they were very helpful” (Levine 61). This was the beginning of slavery in America. Columbus forced a few innocent Indians, known today as Native Americans, to return to Spain with him, and only seven survived the journey (Levine 61). Columbus sets out his plans and wishes in the conclusion of his “Letter of Discovery”. It discusses the use of slaves, the search and removal of valuables from the new land, and the conversion of.2016.06.002