What was Columbus's central idea for westward travel?
My central conviction, a truth revealed through prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures and the writings of learned men, was that the Earth is a sphere. Therefore, by sailing west from Europe, one could, with diligence and divine favor, reach the East Indies. I calculated the circumference of the Earth and the distance to the Indies, believing the journey to be far shorter than many presumed. This was no mere fancy, but a reasoned calculation, confirmed by the favorable winds and currents I observed. The potential for immense profit and the spreading of the Holy Faith in those lands spurred my determination.
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