The Surprising Truth Behind America's Name
11Two remarkable explorers who ventured across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 15th and early 16th centuries: Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. Find out how they came from different backgrounds, had different goals, made different discoveries, and left different marks on history.
Columbus was a Spanish explorer who was determined to find a westward route to Asia, where he hoped to trade for spices and gold. He made four voyages between 1492 and 1504, landing on various islands in the Caribbean and Central America, but never realizing that he had reached a new continent.
Vespucci was an Italian merchant and navigator who worked for both Spain and Portugal. He participated in at least two expeditions between 1499 and 1502, exploring the coast of South America and recognizing it as a separate landmass from Asia. He also wrote letters describing his adventures, which were widely read and popularized his name.
Both explorers contributed to the European knowledge and colonization of the Americas, but they also faced challenges and controversies. Columbus was accused of mistreating the native people and mismanaging his colonies, while Vespucci was doubted for the authenticity and accuracy of his accounts. Their legacy is still debated today, as some celebrate them as heroes and others criticize them as oppressors.
Watch this video to find out more about these two fascinating figures who changed the course of history with their discoveries.
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