Exemplar: Five Paragraph Persuasive Essay
Who Discovered America?
Prince Henry the Navigator
You may find it ironic that the person I chose as having discovered America never
really sailed anywhere important. During his lifetime, the man I chose almost never left
his home country of Portugal. Today, no county bears this man’s name. No debate on
who really discovered America ends with this man being chosen. Yet to me, I strongly
believe that Prince Henry the Navigator should be credited with discovering America. I
believe this for many important reasons. First, Henry of Portugal was a visionary who
purposefully sought new lands to discover. Secondly, his wisdom and intelligence
ushered in the Age of Exploration so others could achieve his goals. Lastly, he taught
others the value the importance of organizing information, keeping details trip logs, and
sharing that information to further exploration. He used his skills to help invent the
caravel ship; to develop navigational instruments like the quadrant; and to make
mathematical charts to determine latitude.
First, I believe that to claim the title of ‘Discoverer of America’, an individual
needs to have the intent of setting out and deliberately finding a new piece of land. Prince
Henry of Portugal deliberately planned and executed the necessary steps for finding
unclaimed territories in the 1400’s. Henry believed such land existed. Henry deliberately
took the necessary steps to train qualified men to find those lands on his behalf. He
financed the expeditions. Men went and traveled uncharted waters and explored new
lands because of his vision, training, and financing. Men like Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco
DaGama and Christopher Columbus all sought his help, knowledge and guidance. How
can we claim the Vikings or Columbus discovered anything? Discovery implies
deliberate intent. Most of the European explorers happened upon America by accident
when they were trying to find Asia. They do not earn the title of discoverer. Columbus
never discovered where he was. He thought he was in the Indies. The Vikings left no
permanent settlement behind. They cannot be credited with discovering America. Henry
the Navigator may not have been the man who actually stepped ashore for the first time
on any foreign soil but his actions made it possible for others to do so in his name.
Secondly, Henry’s wisdom and intelligence ushered in the Age of Exploration
which made these voyages of discovery possible. Henry was the brains behind the Age of
Discovery. He used his knowledge and money to organize and share information. He
required all voyages to keep detailed logs of their voyages. He compiled all the
information; shared it with other sailors; and allowed knowledge to grow and build until
such time that he achieved his dream of discovering new lands. Henry made it possible
for information sharing at a time when moveable type was just getting started. His
information sharing made it possible for the voyages of discovery to be successful.
Finally, Henry used his knowledge to invent new technologies which made the
voyages of discovery possible. It is reported that Henry helped to develop the caravel
ship. A caravel ships allowed explorers and sailors to ‘tack’ into the wind. In other words,
ships could now sail efficiently against the wind. This revolutionary sailing invention
allowed explorers to have the ability to return home from their long trips even if the
winds were not blowing in the correct direction. Before the invention of the caravel ship,
vessels without a movable sail had to rely on the wind and oftentimes were doomed when
the wind did not take them in the desired direction. In addition, Henry used his expertise
to develop the navigational instrument called the quadrant. The quadrant allowed sailors
to determine their precise degree of latitude. Knowing latitude allowed navigators to find
precise locations in the oceans time and time again.
In conclusion, there are many valid reasons Henry the Navigator should hold the
title, “Discoverer of America”. Henry trained the men, invented the technology, and
shared his information so that others could go and discover new worlds in his name.
Clearly the invention of the caravel ship and the quadrant makes it clear that Henry’s
explorations were deliberate attempts to find new lands. Some explorers happened upon
lands by accident. Some explorers never knew where they were. Still others simply left
and never returned. Henry worked, and dreamed, and trained to find these lands. It is this
deliberate sense of purpose and mission that I feel earns Prince Henry the Navigator, the
Discoverer of America.