What was the primary goal of Christopher Columbus during his 1492 voyage?

The primary goal of Christopher Columbus during his 1492 voyage was to find a new route to Asia, not to discover the "New World" as understood in a modern context. Columbus was motivated by the pursuit of trade, specifically to access the lucrative spice and silk markets in Asia by sailing westward.

When considering Columbus's voyage, it’s important to acknowledge that while he did indeed reach lands that were previously unknown to Europeans, the term "discovery" often mischaracterizes his intent since he was not aware that he had found a new continent. His aim was primarily to establish a faster trade route rather than exploring uncharted territories for their own sake.

While establishing colonies in North America became a later objective for other explorers and colonizers, Columbus himself did not focus on that goal during his voyages. Additionally, charting the African coast was part of European exploration efforts but was not connected to Columbus's mission; his focus was specifically on seeking a new passage to Asia. Therefore, the context of Columbus's objectives centers around the economic aspirations tied to Asian trade rather than the discovery of lands that would later hold significant historical impact.