Interesting analysis.
We said almost exactly the same thing. Interesting.
Ha! Exactly what I’ve always thought, but you were much more eloquent!!!
“Point is, it was Columbus’ voyage which opened up the Americas to Europe and changed history. Leiff’s voyage is just a blip which no one took notice of.”
Ericson’s charts were part of the body of the best chart-knowledge when Columbus sailed. The charts showed Columbus there was something there, and that it had and could be reached.
Columbus is credited with being a businessman/sea captain that got finance from Isabella, and assembled the known “science” (charts) of the day—both needed for a successful voyage.
I credit all of the early explorers, for they were amazing people, including their crews.
So Scandinavians can be justifiably proud of Ericson’s part.
At that time, the Scandinavians sailed to many distant places, including the Volga River in Russia, around to the Mediterranean, etc.
Their imprint on history is huge, particularly considering their small numbers.
Columbus cared. Knowledge of the 'New World' was shared by the sailing culture of Columbus's day. Like almost all human discoveries and advancements, today's discoveries are built on past efforts.
Columbus's voyage opened the 'New World' to exploration because it's time had come. The shipbuilding and seafaring technologies of that day facilitated the accomplishments. Just like the technologies of the mid-20th century facilitated space exploration. It's time had come and the accomplishment was based on hundreds of years of discovery and knowledge.
Leiff Erickson did not lead an occupation of the 'New World' but his efforts left the knowledge for others to use later.
To me, the most interesting thing in the Wikipedia article is "Leif rescued an Icelandic castaway named Thorir and his crew". There were other Norsemen working the 'New World'?? Leif the Lucky kept Thoror's cargo? Maybe Leif is like Columbus. He learned about the 'New World' from others before him.