Spanish Exploration of the Western Hemisphere

Spanish explorers, sponsored by European countries, were driven by trade, wealth, and religion to explore the Western Hemisphere. Columbus's 1492 voyage aimed to find new trade routes to Asia but led to the discovery of the Americas. The allure of gold, including myths like El Dorado, motivated further exploration. Religion played a significant role, with missionaries seeking to spread Christianity and others escaping persecution. European nations competed for power and resources through colonization, shaping the Americas' history.

What was one of the primary goals of Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage?

• To find a new continent

• To spread Christianity

• To discover a sea route to Asia

• To establish a new colony

What was a common misconception about the New World among European explorers?

• It was full of deserts

• It was a direct route to India

• It was uninhabited

• It was located in Africa

Which legendary city was believed to be a lost city of gold?

• Atlantis

• Camelot

• Shangri-La

• El Dorado

What was a significant religious motivation for Spanish explorers in the New World?

• To escape religious persecution in Asia

• To establish a new religious order

• To convert native societies to Christianity

• To practice Buddhism

How did European countries view the colonization of the New World?

• As a way to find new spices

• As a method to learn new languages

• As a means to increase wealth and power

• As a way to escape from Europe