Who sent Christopher Columbus on his first voyage?

Before attempting his first voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus made a business agreement with Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain that entitled him to 10 percent of any profits he made during his voyage. These profits would include any precious stones, spices, silver or any other valuable merchandise found.

Besides seeking profits from treasures found during his voyages to the Americas, Columbus wanted to convert the native inhabitants to Catholicism. He also enslaved the native people of the Americas, and he would eventually bring six of them back to Seville and Barcelona where they would be paraded through the streets.