King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile funded Christopher Columbus's voyages primarily for several reasons:
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Search for a New Trade Route: Ferdinand and Isabella were interested in finding a westward route to Asia to access the lucrative spice trade, which was vital for their economy and to compete with other European nations.
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Expansion of Spanish Influence: By supporting Columbus, the Spanish monarchy aimed to expand their empire and influence across the globe. They wanted to claim new lands for Spain and enhance their power in Europe.
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Religious Goals: The Catholic Monarchs were motivated by a desire to spread Christianity. They viewed the exploration as an opportunity to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity.
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Competition with Other Powers: Spain was in competition with Portugal and other European nations that were exploring and colonizing new territories. Supporting Columbus helped to position Spain as a leading maritime power.
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Personal Ambition and Legacy: Both Ferdinand and Isabella sought to enhance their legacy and the prestige of their reign by sponsoring significant explorations, which were seen as noble ventures.
Columbus promised great riches and new lands, which ultimately persuaded Ferdinand and Isabella to invest in his expedition, leading to the historic voyages that resulted in the European awareness of the Americas.
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