Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451 - 15061451 - 1506

Who Was Christopher Who Was Christopher Columbus?Columbus?Christopher Columbus is famous for Christopher Columbus is famous for

being an explorer in the 15being an explorer in the 15thth century. century. He was born in 1451 in Genoa in He was born in 1451 in Genoa in Italy. Italy.

The Young ChristopherThe Young Christopher

As a young man Christopher enjoyed As a young man Christopher enjoyed the sea. He went to sea when he was the sea. He went to sea when he was still a boy and found the life of a still a boy and found the life of a sailor to be very exciting.sailor to be very exciting.

Travel & ExplorationTravel & Exploration

At the time when Columbus lived At the time when Columbus lived people travelled by horse when people travelled by horse when journeying across land and by ship journeying across land and by ship for journeys at sea. The journey from for journeys at sea. The journey from Portugal to Asia to trade for silks and Portugal to Asia to trade for silks and spices was a long and often spices was a long and often dangerous one. dangerous one.

Quick QuizQuick Quiz

1.1. Where was Columbus born?Where was Columbus born?2.2. What colours are in the Italian flag.What colours are in the Italian flag.3.3. What adjective is used to describe What adjective is used to describe

how Columbus viewed life at sea?how Columbus viewed life at sea?4.4. Name 2 methods of travel used in Name 2 methods of travel used in

the 15the 15thth century. century.5.5. Why was trade with the East so Why was trade with the East so

important?important?

A New DirectionA New Direction

Columbus wanted to find a quicker Columbus wanted to find a quicker route to reach the countries in the route to reach the countries in the East that provided the goods desired East that provided the goods desired in Europe. It was for this reason that in Europe. It was for this reason that he decided to sail west hoping to he decided to sail west hoping to reach Asia from a new direction.reach Asia from a new direction.

Financing the JourneyFinancing the Journey

Columbus found it difficult to get the Columbus found it difficult to get the money for his journey but eventually money for his journey but eventually King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain financed his expedition. Spain financed his expedition.

The ShipsThe Ships

Columbus set sail with three ships, the Columbus set sail with three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.

A Long JourneyA Long Journey

After a long journey across the Atlantic After a long journey across the Atlantic Ocean, Columbus and his crew came Ocean, Columbus and his crew came to the islands of the east coast of to the islands of the east coast of America which we now call the West America which we now call the West Indies. Indies.

Hispaniola Hispaniola

Columbus landed on the island of Columbus landed on the island of Hispaniola, which we now call Haiti and Hispaniola, which we now call Haiti and the Dominican Republic. From here he the Dominican Republic. From here he went on to explore other islands in the went on to explore other islands in the region. Having discovered the mouth of region. Having discovered the mouth of the Orinoco River, Columbus thought the Orinoco River, Columbus thought he’d found the Garden of Eden, a he’d found the Garden of Eden, a common belief at the time was that all common belief at the time was that all great rivers flowed from the Garden.great rivers flowed from the Garden.

Quick Quiz 2Quick Quiz 2

1.1. Where did Columbus get the money for Where did Columbus get the money for his expeditions.his expeditions.

2.2. Name three of his ships.Name three of his ships.3.3. Which ocean did Columbus sail across to Which ocean did Columbus sail across to

find the New World?find the New World?4.4. What name did he give to the island we What name did he give to the island we

now know as Haiti and the Dominican now know as Haiti and the Dominican Republic?Republic?

5.5. What biblical destination did Columbus What biblical destination did Columbus think he had discovered?think he had discovered?

Advantages to Columbus’ Advantages to Columbus’ DiscoveryDiscovery

Thanks to the voyages made by Columbus Thanks to the voyages made by Columbus important crops were introduced to Europe. important crops were introduced to Europe. Crops such as corn, potatoes, tomatoes, lima Crops such as corn, potatoes, tomatoes, lima beans, squash, peanuts, cacao, and beans, squash, peanuts, cacao, and pineapple.pineapple.

While the new lands were introduced to While the new lands were introduced to European crops, such as wheat, rice, coffee, European crops, such as wheat, rice, coffee, bananas, and olives. Animals were also bananas, and olives. Animals were also brought to the Americas: horses, cows, pigs, brought to the Americas: horses, cows, pigs, and chickens were all introduced. and chickens were all introduced.

Disadvantages to Columbus’ Disadvantages to Columbus’ ExplorationsExplorations

• The native people of the new lands to which The native people of the new lands to which Columbus and his crew travelled had not Columbus and his crew travelled had not previously been exposed to European diseases and previously been exposed to European diseases and many died as a result.many died as a result.Diseases such as diphtheria, measles, smallpox, Diseases such as diphtheria, measles, smallpox, and malaria devastated the indigenous American and malaria devastated the indigenous American population. population.

• The Europeans did not think highly of the natives The Europeans did not think highly of the natives and didn’t value the culture of the area. They often and didn’t value the culture of the area. They often viewed the local population as slave labour. viewed the local population as slave labour.

Complete the table in your Complete the table in your book:book:

Advantages of Advantages of Columbus’ VoyagesColumbus’ Voyages

Disadvantages of Disadvantages of Columbus’ VoyagesColumbus’ Voyages

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