Christopher Columbus Brainpop

Why is Christopher Columbus such an important historical figure?

• He proved once and for all that the earth is round.

• His discovery led to the colonization of the Americas.

• He opened up a new trade route to Asia.

• He was the greatest mapmaker of his time.

Which of the following terms best describes Columbus's relationship with his brother, Bartolomeo?

• Archenemies

• Friendly rivals

• Perfect strangers

• Business partners

What was Columbus's primary motivation for his voyage across the Atlantic?

• The desire for riches and power.

• A profound devotion to the Spanish royal family.

• His fervent interest in geography.

• The potential to chart unexplored territory.

What area did Columbus explore?

• The eastern coast of Asia

• The eastern coast of the present-day United States

• The western coast of the present-day United States

• The Caribbean Sea

Which word best describes the Arawak people?

• Docile

• Hostile

• Greedy

• Wary

When Columbus arrived in the Americas, he called the natives Indians, even though they looked and sounded nothing like people from India. What can you conclude from this fact?

• Columbus had problems with his vision and hearing.

• Columbus was illiterate.

• Columbus was determined to cover up his mistakes.

• Columbus knew virtually nothing about Indian culture.

How did Columbus become the governor of Hispaniola?

• He was elected by the island's inhabitants

• He inherited the post from the previous governor

• He deposed the previous governor and took the post by force

• He was given the title in advance by the king and queen of Spain

About which of the following attributes of the earth was Columbus mistaken?

• Its shape

• Its size

• Its mass

• Its composition

Viewed as a trade, the Columbian Exchange was:

• Equal, favoring both Europeans and Native Americans

• Unequal, favoring Europeans

• Unequal, favoring Native Americans

• Ambiguous; it's not clear who benefitted more

Why do some people object to celebrating Columbus Day?

• Because Columbus never reached the contiguous United States.

• Because historians don't know the exact date when his ships actually made landfall.

• Because Columbus committed brutal acts and began a period of conquest.

• Because Columbus was so mistaken about the size of the earth.