USA HISTORY

FIRST CONTACTS 28000 BCE 1821 CE

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Columbus thought that you could reach Asia by sailing ____ across the Atlantic Ocean.
A
east
B
west
C
north
D
south
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -With a crew of 90 men and three ships-the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria-he left from Palos de la Frontera, Spain. Columbus reasoned that since the world is round, he could sail west to reach “the east” (the lucrative lands of India and China).

Detailed explanation-2: -In the 15th and 16th centuries, Europeans wanted to find sea routes to the Far East. Columbus wanted to find a new route to India, China, Japan and the Spice Islands. If he could reach these lands, he would be able to bring back rich cargoes of silks and spices.

Detailed explanation-3: -He became obsessed with the possibility of pioneering a western sea route to Cathay (China), India, and the gold and spice islands of Asia. At the time, Europeans knew no direct sea route to southern Asia, and the route via Egypt and the Red Sea was closed to Europeans by the Ottoman Empire, as were many land routes.

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