Explorers
Who was Christopher Columbus? Who did he work for and what was his goal?
An Italian explorer who worked for the King and Queen of Spain. His goal was to reach Asia by sailing West.
What does Columbus call the indigenous Tainos people "Indians"?
Because he believes he was in or near India.
Where does Columbus help establish colonies for Spain?
In the Caribbean and modern day Central and South America.
Who was the first European explorer to reach the Americas?
Leif Eriksson
Where did Christopher Columbus "discover"? Was this where he wanted to land?
The island of Hispaniola (Caribbean Islands). No, he wanted to land in Asia (Spice Islands).
How does Columbus intend to use the indigenous peoples he meets? Do the King and Queen of Spain support this?
As slaves. Yes, the Spanish royals support Columbus' efforts to enslave the indigenous people.
What prized resource is Columbus always looking for on his voyages?
Gold
Who has the largest fleet and the biggest army of all the explorers discussed?
Zheng He
Who was Leif Eriksson? What was his goal and who was his father?
He was a Viking explorer and son of Erik the Red. His goal was to find fertile land to the west of Greenland.
What does Friar Montesino (and other Dominican Priests) criticize Columbus for doing to the indigenous peoples in his colonies?
Working them to death, enslaving them and otherwise mistreating them.
To what religion does Columbus (and the Spanish royals) want to convert the indigenous?
Catholicism (Christianity)
During the "Age of Exploration" which small European country was leading the way in navigation?
Portugal
Where did Leif Eriksson "discover"?
He found Newfoundland (Vinland) on the mainland of North America.
What happens between the Vikings and the indigenous peoples when Leif arrives in "Vinland"?
They fight and the indigenous (called the "scraelings" by the Vikings) force the Vikings to retreat back to Greenland.
What is the main focus of the Viking exploration? Is this achieved?
They want to settle and farm. This is not achieved in the end, as the indigenous peoples eventually repel the Viking colonizers.
How many voyages did Columbus make?
Four
Who was Zheng He and who did he work for? What was the goal of his voyages?
Zheng He was a Ming Dynasty Admiral who served the Ming Emperor (Zhu Di). His goal was to sail around the known world and collect tribute,
What horrific experience does Zheng He undergo as a child when he and his family are captured by Ming forces?
Castration. He becomes a eunuch.
After the Viking settlement fails, what major resource does, largely unavailable in Greenland, do Greenlanders return to Vinland to collect from time to time?
Trees (lumber)
People have known the world was round since ancient times, but why did Columbus believe he would reach Asia so quickly by going west?
He believed the earth was much smaller.