In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue...
Since 1486, Columbus had tried to find a sponsor for his expedition to find a quicker route to Asia. He pleaded many times with Ferdinand and Isabella to fund his project, each time they rejected him but nevertheless, Columbus continued to ask for support for five years. He wanted to sail west, across the Atlantic Ocean through Japan, China and finally India to find the "back door" to Asia. The king and queen felt that it wasn't the time for expansion. Occupied with the task of unifying Spain, and having economonic troubles, they reluctantly dismissed Columubus' plan. However, shortly after this decision, the keeper of the privy purse, Luis de Santángel argued in his defense. He felt that although Columbus' demands were tough, it would greatly benefit Spain, bringing not only riches and territory, but prestige and glory. With a loan from Francesco Pinelli and a fine from Palos, an area on the southern coast of Castile, Columbus gained the funding he so desperately needed. He was called back and told of the new negotiations. Finally, Christopher Columbus became admiral of the Ocean Sea and viceroy and governor-general of the new lands.