5 Letters That Changed History

We here at Fiction Mail love letters, obviously!

While our letters are fun fictional tales delivered to your mailbox, there are lots of examples of real letters that changed the path of history, and we love these too!

Here are 5 letters that changed history:

The Letter of Columbus to Ferdinand and Isabella (1493)

The Letter of Christopher Columbus to Ferdinand and Isabella, written in 1493, is a pivotal document that played a crucial role in shaping European perceptions of the New World and initiating the era of European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Here's an expansion on its context and importance:

After his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in the Bahamas and subsequently explored several islands in the Caribbean. Upon his return to Spain in March 1493, Columbus composed a letter addressed to Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, to report on his discoveries and seek their continued support for further exploration.

In his letter, Columbus described in vivid detail the lands he had encountered, the indigenous peoples he had encountered, and the flora and fauna he had observed. He expressed his belief that he had reached the eastern shores of Asia and described the islands he had explored as part of the "Indies," a term commonly used at the time to refer to the East Indies (modern-day Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent).

Columbus also emphasized the potential wealth and resources of the newly discovered lands, including gold, spices, and other valuable commodities. He sought to persuade Ferdinand and Isabella to sponsor additional voyages to the New World, promising them riches, glory, and the spread of Christianity.

Columbus's letter ignited a wave of excitement and curiosity throughout Europe about the possibilities of the New World. His descriptions of exotic lands and potential riches inspired other explorers and adventurers to seek their fortunes across the Atlantic, leading to further voyages of exploration and colonization by European powers.

The information contained in Columbus's letter encouraged Ferdinand and Isabella to finance additional expeditions to the Americas, resulting in the establishment of Spanish colonies in the Caribbean and the eventual conquest of vast territories in the Americas. This laid the foundation for the expansion of the Spanish Empire and the colonization of the New World.

The Letter of Columbus to Ferdinand and Isabella of 1493 is a significant document that helped to shape European perceptions of the New World, stimulate further exploration and colonization, and pave the way for the establishment of European empires in the Americas. Its importance lies in its role as a catalyst for the Age of Exploration and its impact on the course of world history.

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses (1517)

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, posted on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, is one of the most significant documents in Christian history.

In the early 16th century, the Catholic Church, led by Pope Leo X, was embarking on a fundraising campaign to finance the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. To raise funds, the sale of indulgences—pardons for sins—was aggressively promoted by Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar. Tetzel's sales pitch claimed that purchasing indulgences could free souls from purgatory and ensure salvation, leading many to believe that they could buy their way into heaven.

Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg, was deeply troubled by the sale of indulgences and the corruption he saw within the Catholic Church. In response, Luther drafted a list of ninety-five statements, known as the Ninety-Five Theses, condemning the sale of indulgences and challenging various practices and beliefs of the church.

Among Luther's grievances were objections to the idea that salvation could be bought, assertions that true repentance was necessary for forgiveness, and criticisms of the pope's authority to grant indulgences. He argued that only God had the power to forgive sins and that salvation was attained through faith alone, not through good works or financial contributions.

Luther intended the Ninety-Five Theses to spark academic debate among theologians. He wrote them in Latin, the language of scholars, and likely expected them to be discussed within academic circles. However, thanks to the recent invention of the printing press, Luther's theses were quickly translated into German and disseminated widely across Europe, sparking a public controversy that would eventually lead to the Protestant Reformation.

The Ninety-Five Theses ignited a theological and religious revolution within Western Christianity. Luther's criticisms of the Catholic Church's practices and his emphasis on the authority of scripture and justification by faith alone resonated with many disillusioned Christians. The widespread dissemination of the theses helped fuel a growing movement of reform that ultimately led to the emergence of Protestantism as a distinct branch of Christianity.

Luther's bold challenge to the authority of the pope and the Catholic Church hierarchy was unprecedented and revolutionary. By questioning the church's teachings and practices, Luther paved the way for a new understanding of Christianity that emphasized individual conscience and direct access to God.

The Protestant Reformation had profound social, political, and cultural consequences across Europe. It led to religious wars, political upheaval, and the fragmentation of Christendom into competing religious factions. The Reformation also spurred advancements in education, literacy, and the spread of vernacular languages through the translation of the Bible into local languages.

The Protestant Reformation contributed to the development of religious freedom and pluralism by challenging the notion of religious uniformity enforced by the Catholic Church. It paved the way for the emergence of diverse religious traditions and fostered a spirit of religious tolerance and coexistence.

Albert Einstein's Letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1939)

Albert Einstein's letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, dated August 2, 1939, is one of the most pivotal correspondences in the history of science and politics. In the letter, Einstein, who was a German-born physicist living in the United States at the time, conveyed his concerns regarding the potential development of extremely powerful bombs utilizing nuclear fission.

Einstein's letter was prompted by the realization that German scientists, particularly Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, had successfully split the uranium atom, a process known as nuclear fission. He feared that this scientific breakthrough could lead to the creation of a new type of weapon with unprecedented destructive power.

Expressing his apprehensions about the possibility of Nazi Germany harnessing nuclear energy for military purposes, Einstein urged President Roosevelt to initiate a research program focused on nuclear weapons development. He emphasized the urgent need for the United States to stay ahead in this field of research to prevent adversaries from gaining a decisive advantage.

Einstein's letter played a significant role in catalyzing American interest and investment in nuclear research, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Manhattan Project. This top-secret project brought together some of the world's leading scientists, engineers, and military personnel to develop the atomic bomb.

The culmination of the Manhattan Project was the successful detonation of the world's first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945, in the New Mexico desert. This event marked the dawn of the nuclear age and had profound implications for warfare, geopolitics, and international relations.

Einstein's letter underscores the complex intersection of science, ethics, and politics, as well as the tremendous influence that individual scientists can have on historical events. Though Einstein did not directly participate in the Manhattan Project due to his pacifist beliefs, his letter played a pivotal role in shaping the course of history during World War II and beyond.

The Einstein-Szilárd Letter (1939)

The Einstein-Szilárd Letter of 1939 was a pivotal communication between physicist Leo Szilárd and renowned scientist Albert Einstein. This letter carried significant consequences, playing a crucial role in the development of nuclear weapons during World War II and shaping the course of history. Here's an expansion on its context and importance:

In the late 1930s, scientists worldwide became increasingly aware of the potential for nuclear fission to release vast amounts of energy. Albert Einstein, though not directly involved in experimental work on nuclear fission, was well-known for his contributions to theoretical physics, including his famous equation E=mc², which demonstrated the relationship between mass and energy.

Leo Szilárd, a Hungarian physicist who had fled Nazi Germany, was deeply concerned about the implications of nuclear fission. Recognizing the possibility of a chain reaction and the potential for creating powerful weapons, Szilárd sought to alert world leaders to the dangers of nuclear weapons and advocate for international control of atomic energy.

On August 2, 1939, Szilárd drafted a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, urging him to fund research into nuclear fission and to initiate a program to develop atomic weapons before Nazi Germany could do so. Recognizing the need for credibility and influence, Szilárd asked Einstein to sign the letter. Einstein, deeply troubled by the rise of fascism and the threat of war, agreed.

The Einstein-Szilárd Letter was hand-delivered to Roosevelt by Alexander Sachs, an economist and friend of Roosevelt's, on October 11, 1939. The letter emphasized the potential of atomic energy for both peaceful and destructive purposes and warned of the urgency of taking action to prevent a Nazi atomic bomb.

The Einstein-Szilárd Letter played a crucial role in persuading President Roosevelt to establish the Manhattan Project, a top-secret program aimed at developing atomic weapons. This decision ultimately led to the successful creation of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

By alerting the U.S. government to the potential of nuclear weapons and the need for research and development, the letter accelerated efforts to understand nuclear fission and harness its power. This accelerated pace of research had profound implications for science and technology in the 20th century.

Martin Luther King, Jr’s The Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)

"The Letter from Birmingham Jail" is a profound and influential document written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while he was imprisoned for his participation in nonviolent protests against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, during the civil rights movement in the United States. King wrote the letter in response to a public statement made by eight white Alabama clergymen who criticized his tactics and called for patience and moderation in seeking social change.

In the letter, King eloquently defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance, arguing that waiting for justice to come gradually was tantamount to accepting injustice. He criticizes white moderates for their inaction, stating that they were more concerned with order than justice and were complicit in perpetuating racial injustice.

"Letter from Birmingham Jail" remains a seminal document in American history, not only for its role in advancing the cause of civil rights but also for its enduring relevance as a testament to the power of moral conviction and nonviolent resistance in the face of oppression. It continues to inspire generations of activists fighting for justice and equality around the world.

King articulates the moral and philosophical foundations of nonviolent protest, drawing upon his Christian faith and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He argues that nonviolent resistance is not only a tactic for achieving political goals but also a moral imperative and a means of awakening the conscience of society.

The letter serves as a powerful call to action, urging people of conscience to actively engage in the struggle for justice rather than passively accepting the status quo. King's impassioned plea for solidarity and direct action resonated deeply with many Americans and galvanized support for the civil rights movement.

King directly confronts the injustices of segregation and racial discrimination, exposing the moral bankruptcy of the system and challenging the notion that change should occur gradually and without disruption.

The letter showcases King's remarkable rhetorical skill and intellect. His use of persuasive language, biblical references, and historical allusions resonated with audiences and elevated the discourse surrounding the civil rights movement.

World Changing Letters

These five letters are just a sampling of letters that changed history. If you’re interested in this topic, you may want to check out 100 Letters That Changed the World by Colin Salter.

And if you want to receive some letters that are a little less dire and serious, please check out Fiction Mail! We write great fiction that is sent to you as series of letters from a fictional friend who has an amazing story to tell you!