Final answer:
In 1492, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic, hoping to find a western route to Asia, rather than east across the Indian Ocean. He landed in the Bahamas, and explored the Caribbean, erroneously thinking he had reached the East Indies. Columbus's voyages opened up the New World to European exploration and colonization, despite his miscalculations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1492, Christopher Columbus did not set sail east across the Indian Ocean; rather, he sailed west across the Atlantic in hopes of finding a new trade route to Asia. Columbus aimed to reach the East Indies to tap into the lucrative spice trade dominated by Asian nations and intermediaries like Venice and Genoa.
After being rejected by Portugal, Columbus convinced the Spanish monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, to sponsor his expedition. On August 3, 1492, Columbus departed with three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, believing that the world was significantly smaller than it is and that Asia could be reached by sailing westward.
Instead of reaching Asia, Columbus landed in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, and subsequently explored the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, mistakenly believing these lands were part of the East Indies. Columbus never realized that he had discovered a 'New World.' Despite these mistakes, his voyages dramatically impacted European exploration and colonization, leading to the widespread recognition of the Americas.
Columbus's explorations opened up the New World to European powers, particularly Spain, which rapidly began to colonize the Americas. His legacy is complex, marked by both achievements in navigation and the unintentional consequences for indigenous peoples and global history.