Renaissance · Wargame

Sea & Steel: Columbus' Voyages

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT

1–2 players90 minages 14medium difficulty

About the game

What is Sea & Steel: Columbus' Voyages

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT

In the late 15th century, European powers, particularly Spain and Portugal, were driven by a desire for new trade routes to Asia. The traditional overland “Silk Road” was becoming increasingly difficult and expensive due to the rise of the Ottoman Empire. This spurred a quest for a westward sea route to the lucrative markets of the “East Indies” (Asia), rich in spices, gold, and other valuable goods.

Christopher Columbus, believed he could reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean, a concept considered improbable by many at the time who underestimated the Earth’s circumference. After years of seeking patronage, he finally gained the support of the Spanish monarchs, King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I. They had just completed the Reconquista, expelling the Moors from Spain, and were eager to expand their influence, wealth, and spread Catholicism.

Columbus set sail on August 3, 1492, with three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. After a long and challenging voyage, land was sighted on October 12, 1492. Instead of reaching Asia, Columbus had stumbled upon islands in the Caribbean, specifically an island in the Bahamas (which he named San Salvador, though the indigenous people called it Guanahani).

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