9/30/14

Lesson#13

AIM:  Why were the voyages of Christopher Columbus so important?

DO NOW: : Read A new land ‘discovered’ in the First Americans and answer the following questions

1)   What obstacles hindered Columbus’ first voyage?

2)   What was on the Tainos’ mind when they first encountered Columbus?

3)   What do Columbus’ actions and words say about how he viewed the Indians?

I)                  Spain in 1492.

a)    Prior to 1492 Spain was not a united country and a good portion of Spain was controlled by a group of Muslims called the Moors.

b)    Spain became united when King Ferdinand married Queen Isabella. Spain had fallen behind Portugal in exploring new trade routes to Asia

c)    Spain hired Columbus to find new trade routes.

d)    Columbus proposed sailing west across the Atlantic because he had the idea that the world was much smaller then it actually is. He felt China was only 3000 miles away.

Homework: Page 45 questions 1-3