Why did Columbus discover America and name the mainland after Vespucci?
On December 6, 1492, Christopher Columbus, ethnically Italian (Genoese), but "working" for Spain (because neither his native Genoa nor Portugal believed in his project and did not want to sponsor it), discovered the island of Haiti (on whose lands it is located Dominican Republic). It was the second island in the New World that the great navigator saw (and which, by the way, was the first island?)
From that moment began the great conquista
But how did it happen that only the state, and not the whole mainland, bears the name of Christopher? (not counting the county in the US)
As always happens with outstanding personalities, Columbus fell out of favor with the Spanish crown - Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand refused to issue regalia to Columbus, citing the fact that he did not discover India, as promised (this is after the navigator brought Spain on a silver platter so much land and gold)
The promises turned out to be unbearable - a large share of the lands he discovered was to be presented to Columbus, but the big jackpot is too tempting, and Their Majesties changed their minds.
For quite fair indignations and protests, the navigator fell into disgrace. And here came the finest hour of Amerigo Vespucci, who was an office worker, administrator of some division, swam only once - he proved that the New World is a separate continent, and not part of Asia, for which he received a pie.
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24 января 2022