What was Christopher Columbus’s primary goal during his voyages?

The primary goal of Christopher Columbus during his voyages was to find a westward route to Asia, particularly to the markets of India and China, which were highly sought after for their wealth in spices and other goods. Columbus believed that by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean, he could reach these lucrative markets faster than the overland routes that were difficult and time-consuming.

While the phrase “to discover America” may seem important in the context of history, Columbus did not set out to find the Americas specifically, as the continents were not known to him. His aim centered on trade routes. Though his voyages ultimately led to the European awareness of the Americas, this was an unintended consequence of his primary mission. Other choices, like conquering the Aztecs, were not part of his initial objectives during his explorations, as this occurred later with other Spanish explorers who followed Columbus's expeditions.