Christopher Columbus: Exploration and Legacy

Christopher Columbus, born in 1451, was a skilled navigator who believed he could reach India by sailing west. After being rejected by Portugal, he secured funding from Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. In 1492, he set sail with three ships and landed in the Bahamas, mistakenly believing it was India. Columbus established a settlement in Hispaniola but faced challenges, including the destruction of the settlement and poor conditions. His later voyages were unsuccessful, leading to his arrest and loss of titles. Columbus died in 1506, still believing he had found Asia.

What inspired Columbus to believe that sailing west would be a faster route to India?

• A dream he had

• A map from Marco Polo

• A letter from Paolo del Pozzo Toscanelli

• Advice from King Ferdinand

Which country initially rejected Columbus's idea of sailing west to reach India?

• France

• Italy

• Portugal

• Spain

What did Columbus mistakenly believe he had reached when he arrived in the Bahamas?

• China

• Japan

• India

• Australia

What was Columbus's primary goal upon reaching the new world?

• To map the coastline

• To find gold and spices

• To establish trade routes

• To convert natives to Christianity

What action did Columbus take upon finding the settlement destroyed on his return to the Caribbean?

• He abandoned the settlement

• He sought help from other explorers

• He enslaved the indigenous people

• He returned to Spain immediately

What was the outcome of Columbus's third voyage?

• He discovered a new trade route

• He reached the mainland in Venezuela

• He found cities paved with gold

• He established a successful colony

Why was Columbus arrested and returned to Spain?

• For disobeying the Spanish crown

• For losing his ships

• For mismanagement of Hispaniola

• For failing to find gold

What did Columbus lose as a result of his arrest?

• His crew

• His ships

• His maps

• His titles and most of his wealth

How did Columbus feel during the last years of his life?

• Bitter and disillusioned

• Content and satisfied

• Indifferent and detached

• Hopeful and optimistic

What did Columbus believe until his death?

• That he had discovered a new continent

• That he had found a route to Asia

• That he would be remembered as a villain

• That he had failed his mission