Spanish was given boats from england before the armada?

Question

I was debating with a co-worker about who "technically" came to America first. I told the co-worker that the spanish colonized Florida first (as well as South America and all) and it was bought out at a later date. I told him up until the Spanish Armada and the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the spanish were far richer and greater than that of England and had conquered many more lands. The great loss of the Spanish fleet is what set the stage for Enlgands rise to become a great power. He argued with me by asking me who supplied the Spanish with their fleet? He told me that England did. He told me they pretty much funded ANY and ALL expeditions to the new world and thus all discoveries were England's...I know that's false but where can I find proof so I can educate him? If it IS indeed true...I feel really stupid and where can I find that information? Can you tell me the time line leading up to the discovery of America? (excluding nordic)

We were excluding Native Americans and Vickings but focusing on England and Spain. We both agree about the "ancient" discovery of America and I didn't want to get too detailed. The question is more about the importance of Spain's funding for Columbus and Englands lack of power until the Spanish Armada...My co-worker swears up and down that England funded Spain and supplied Spain with their fleet. I know this is false but I need proof to show him....my word is not enough...

Answer 1

If by the Spanish you mean Christopher Columbus then he was actually Italian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus).

It is claimed but unproven that a Scottish man found America (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_I_Sinclair%2C_Earl_of_Orkney) before Columbus, but that a Viking found the country before Sinclair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leif_Eriksson).

I think that deep down, nobody will ever really know, unless somebody comes up with some conclusive, non-debatable evidence, and that is unlikely now :)

Personally, you should agree to disagree, and agree that you believe the most popular assumption and your colleague chooses to believe a less popular theory.

Really though, the Native Americans were the first people who came to America!

Ooh, and that reminds me, I watched a programme years ago about a skeleton that was discovered, that was about a thousand years old but of European decent. It caused a massive hoo hah and was eventually claimed by Native Americans for burial, despite having incredibly European bone structure. Interesting.

EDIT: Looked in to this more, especially after you defeated me on the Native Americans and Vikings ;)

This is what I found "However, the Spanish Armada was quickly defeated in 1588 by the English ships and bad weather. Ironically the funding for the ships that defeated the Spanish Armada was mostly what England's privateers had stolen from the Spanish Main and the Treasure Fleets." This means that the Spanish funded their own defeat, the opposite of what you were being told. I will keep reading...

EDIT 2: "the Dukes of Palma - who funded the Spanish Armada"

So, I would say there seems to be no evidence (that I can find) to support the English paying for the fleet, however it seems that money stolen from the fleet was used to fund the ships that ultimately destroyed it.

Looks like you're right ;)

CG.

Answer 2

Every thing you need to know to tell your co worker is here.

http://www.answers.com/topic/exploration-of-america-early