What was Christopher Columbus originally looking for when he sailed west?

Christopher Columbus was originally looking for a new route to Asia.

Why did King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain fund Columbus's voyage?

They funded Columbus's voyage to compete with Portugal's success in finding new trade routes.

Columbus called the native people 'Indians' because he believed he had reached the East Indies (Asia).

The Spanish were primarily interested in finding gold.

The initial interactions involved trade, but Columbus quickly became focused on finding gold, leading to exploitation.

5th GradeSocial Studies50 min

I can describe how explorers' beliefs about their rights affected American Indians.

6 min

Christopher Columbus: What Really Happened (10 Year Anniversary)

Uncivil History

10 min

Key concepts students will learn:

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Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in the Republic of Genoa and later worked as a merchant mariner for King John II of Portugal.
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Columbus believed he could reach Asia by sailing west due to the "small earth theory", and he eventually received funding from the Spanish sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella.
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Upon arriving in the Americas, Columbus initiated trade with the Taino people but, driven by the desire for gold, he later enacted a brutal tribute system that led to the death and enslavement of many natives.

15 min

12 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

5 min

“How did Columbus' belief that he had the right to claim land affect the Taino people?”

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