Introduction: The Historical Context of the Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus
The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus took place between September 25, 1493 and June 11, 1496. On this expedition, Columbus discovered the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean that includes territories such as Guadeloupe and Dominica. During his journey, he also passed through the island that we know today as Puerto Rico, leaving his mark on the history of the region. Finally, he arrived in Hispaniola, where he established the first European city in America: La Isabela.
Preparations and Objectives of The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus
Columbus, on his first voyage, had found a lot of gold. The natives, in fact, had given him gold in exchange for protection against other cannibal Indians.
The news of the gold found in Hispaniola quickly reached the Catholic Monarchs, who decided to finance a second colonization trip. The Spanish crown saw these new lands as an opportunity to obtain wealth and expand its influence. On The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus brought with him a larger fleet and additional resources, with the goal of establishing permanent settlements and exploiting the riches of the New World.
The Catholic Monarchs financed Columbus’ new voyage, driven not only by their desire to expand the influence and prestige of the crown in an increasingly competitive world, but also by the urgent need to find new trade routes that would give them an advantage strategic over Portugal.
At the time, Portugal dominated the major sea routes to the East, significantly limiting economic and trade opportunities for other European nations. By supporting Columbus’s expedition to the West, the Catholic Monarchs were making a bold and visionary decision that could open them access to unimaginable riches and unexplored territories, thus consolidating their power on the global stage.
Columbus would be in command of an imposing fleet made up of 17 ships: 5 ships and 12 caravels, each equipped with the latest in nautical technology of the time. These vessels represented the pinnacle of maritime design, incorporating innovations that allowed for safer and more efficient navigation.
In addition, it would have a considerably large crew, estimated between 1,500 and 2,000 men. This crew not only included experienced sailors who were well aware of the challenges of the Atlantic Ocean, but also specialized craftsmen capable of repairing any damage during the voyage. Trained soldiers would ensure security and order in the new discovered lands, while royal officials were tasked with establishing administrative structures in the new colonies to ensure effective government from the start.
His brother Bartholomew Columbus also arrived from France, bringing with him vast experience and nautical skills essential to the success of the expedition. Recognizing the strategic importance of having such crucial support, the kings of Spain decided to provide Bartholomew with four additional caravels. With these new vessels, the operational capacity of the expedition was significantly increased, ensuring better conditions to face future challenges and open new routes to unexplored territories.
Navigation and Route Taken by Columbus on his Second Voyage
On September 25, 1493, Christopher Columbus set sail from the port of Cádiz on his second expedition to the New World. The fleet arrived in Gran Canaria on October 2 to resupply and make final preparations before entering the vast Atlantic Ocean. Finally, on October 13, after ensuring that everything was ready and well prepared to continue his journey into the unknown, Columbus and his entire fleet set out from the Canary Islands towards still unexplored lands.
On November 3, 1493, Christopher Columbus made a momentous discovery when he sighted the island of Dominica, marking the beginning of European recognition of the Lesser Antilles. This finding was not an isolated event; In the following days, Columbus and his crew continued their exploration tirelessly, discovering a series of islands that make up this paradisiacal region of the Caribbean. These included Guadeloupe, known for its lush rainforests and pristine beaches; Montserrat, with its distinctive culture and impressive volcano; Saint Lucia, famous for its majestic Pitons and rich biodiversity; Antigua and Barbuda, with its incomparable reefs and turquoise waters; Saint Kitts and Nevis, offering a fascinating historical past along with stunning landscapes and Martinique.
On November 19, 1493, Christopher Columbus arrived on the island of Puerto Rico. Fascinated by its beauty and natural resources, Columbus decided to name this island San Juan Bautista in honor of the saint. However, just 18 years later, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León would rename the main port Puerto Rico due to its riches and commercial attractions. This name spread over time to refer to the entire island. During his stay on the island, Columbus established relations with the Tainos. The Tainos were an advanced society with a rich agricultural and craft culture that impressed Europeans.
On November 22, 1493, Christopher Columbus returned to Hispaniola and sent several men to inform him of the status of Fort Navidad. These explorers discovered a desolate scene: they found several dead settlers and, in a new expedition, they verified that the fort had been completely burned. The 39 people who had stayed there were brutally executed by the indigenous people.
The Guacanagari Indians explained in detail to the Spanish that this act had been the work of Caonabo, an Indian leader, in response to the cruel behavior of the settlers towards the local population who had rebelled. Against this background, Columbus made the strategic decision to establish a new settlement. This decision not only responded to an urgent need for security and protection for his men, but also sought to make better use of the natural resources and geographical advantages of the place. Additionally, a new settlement could open new opportunities for trade and exploration in this region of the New World.
On January 6, 1494, he founded the city of La Isabela, named in honor of Isabella of Castile. In addition, he appointed Antonio de Torres as mayor.
Disgruntled sailors
In February, Columbus decided to send Torres with a fleet of 12 ships to Spain, carrying an urgent letter for the Catholic Monarchs. In this letter, Columbus strongly requested that the back wages of many sailors who had not received them be paid, which generated discontent and put the discipline and well-being of the crew at risk. In addition, it emphasized the urgent need to send additional food supplies to guarantee the survival and good physical condition of the personnel in the new lands.
Columbus knew that keeping his crew happy and well fed was essential to the continued success of his expeditions. After attending to these vital matters, while Torres traveled to Spain, he appointed Francisco Roldán as Mayor of La Isabela, giving him the responsibility of managing and maintaining order in the first European settlement established in America.
On April 24, 1494, he left the island of Hispaniola, and on this new voyage, he discovered the coasts of Jamaica. On April 30, 1494 he arrived in Cuba. Columbus wondered if those were islands or part of a continent, but the natives thought that the entire world was made up of small islands. The admiral was finally convinced that Cuba was a continent. On June 12, 1494, he found himself off the island of San Giovanni Evangelista, just 100 miles from the end of the island of Cuba. Columbus made each member of the caravels sign an oath stating that they had arrived in the Indies, on the continent.
Difficulties and Challenges Faced in the Second Voyage
Meanwhile, the indigenous leader Caonabo, known for his bravery and determination, starred in one of the most notable episodes in the history of indigenous resistance, besieging the new Spanish fortress of Santo Tomás, built by Columbus to defend the recent settlements. During the siege of the Fortress, Caonabo demonstrated his military skill and courage when facing Alonso de Ojeda. According to Bartolomé de Las Casas, Ojeda managed to capture him with just 15 men, a feat that highlights both the ingenuity and audacity of the conqueror. After his capture, Caonabo was taken to La Isabela to meet with Christopher Columbus.
Recognizing the importance and leadership of the chief on the island, Columbus decided to send him to Spain with the purpose of dialogue directly with the Catholic Monarchs about colonial affairs and indigenous aspirations. Tragically, during the trip to Spain, the ship Caonabo was traveling on capsized and he lost his life before being able to fulfill his diplomatic mission.
The indigenous people who remained on the island thought that their leader was a prisoner of the Spanish and, united in their determination, they decided to launch an attack against La Isabela with the dual objective of rescuing their brave leader Caonabo and expelling the Spanish invaders. However, another indigenous leader, Guacanagari, loyal to his alliance with Columbus, warned the explorer of the impending attack, allowing him to prepare a better defense.
Thanks to this crucial information, Columbus chose to take the battle outside the settlement to protect it. Thus the first battle between colonizers and natives broke out. The Battle of Vega Real took place on March 27, 1495, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of La Isabela. Faced in open lands strategically chosen by the Spanish, the troops led by Columbus achieved a decisive victory.
This victory not only strengthened Spanish control over the region, but also temporarily pacified the island, thus consolidating European dominance during that initial phase of the colonial period.
From September 14 to 15, 1494, while Christopher Columbus was on the island of Hispaniola, he had the opportunity to observe a lunar eclipse. During this astronomical event, Columbus meticulously noted the exact times of the beginning and end of the eclipse, and then compared these times with observations recorded in Cádiz and Sao Vicente in Portugal. From these meticulous calculations, Columbus was able to definitively deduce the sphericity of the Earth, a conclusion that had already been described by the renowned classical scientist Ptolemy. This observation not only strengthened his own conviction about the shape of the planet, but also provided compelling empirical evidence for other navigators and scholars of his time.
At the end of 1494, Antonio de Torres returned to La Isabela with a fleet of four caravels loaded with reinforcements. The caravels, after delivering their valuable content and revitalizing the colonists, began their return to Spain on February 24, 1495, transporting 400 Indian slaves. This action reflected the cruel and complex realities of early colonialism.
In October of the same year, the Catholic Monarchs decided to take additional measures to ensure that their interests in the New World were well managed. They sent a new fleet composed of four more caravels.
On board came Juan Aguado with a specific and crucial mission: to investigate the administrative capabilities and skills of Christopher Columbus as governor. Aguado was to gather exhaustive information to directly inform the monarchs about the effectiveness and justice of the colonial leadership in these newly discovered lands. This episode not only underlines the strategic importance that the Catholic Monarchs gave to the control and efficient management of the New World, but also their constant concern to ensure that their representatives acted in accordance with their royal expectations and mandates.
On March 10, 1496, Christopher Columbus began his return to Spain commanding a fleet made up of two ships: the Niña and the India. It is important to note that the India was the first European ship built on American lands, which represents a significant milestone in naval history.
This feat not only demonstrates the technical and logistical capacity developed during the expeditions, but also the progress of the colonization process.
On June 11, after facing the challenges of the Atlantic Ocean, both ships successfully arrived at the port of Cádiz, marking the end of a crucial voyage for exchanges between Europe and America.
Historical Impact of Christopher Columbus’ Second Voyage in America and Europe
Christopher Columbus’s second voyage, made between 1493 and 1496, had a profound historical impact on both America and Europe. This voyage not only consolidated the Spanish presence in the New World, but also marked the beginning of an era of exploration and colonization that would forever change global history.
In America, the consequences were immediate and transformative. The arrival of Columbus and his subsequent expeditions accelerated contact between indigenous peoples and Europeans, resulting in significant cultural exchanges but also devastating conflicts. The establishment of permanent settlements led to the exploitation of natural resources and radical changes in local social and economic structures.
For Europe, the second voyage represented an unprecedented opportunity to expand its influence and wealth. The discovery of new lands offered vast natural resources that boosted European economies. Furthermore, this event fostered a competitive spirit among European powers to explore and colonize new regions of the world.
