Explorers' Rights and American Indians
Learning Objective
I can describe how explorers' beliefs about their rights affected American Indians.
Key Concepts
Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in the Republic of Genoa and later worked as a merchant mariner for King John II of Portugal.
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.
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.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. What was Christopher Columbus originally looking for when he sailed west?
2. Why did King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain fund Columbus's voyage?
3. What did Columbus call the native people he encountered, and why?
...and 9 more questions
Educational Video
Christopher Columbus: What Really Happened (10 Year Anniversary)
Uncivil History