If others probably preceded him to America why is Columbus given so much credit?
Select one:
a. Columbus inspired others to follow and to invest in trips of exploration and conquest
b. Columbus established meaningful diplomatic relationships with native leaders
c. Unlike others before him Columbus knew that he had discovered a new Continent
Enslaving natives is not generally thought to be diplomatic. (not b)
Columbus thought he was in Asia. (not c) Without a good clock it is hard to tell your longitude, even if you know the circumference of the earth.
The correct answer is a. Columbus inspired others to follow and to invest in trips of exploration and conquest. While it is true that others likely visited America before Columbus, he is given significant credit because his voyages sparked widespread interest and exploration of the New World. Columbus's discoveries and reports of gold and riches in America encouraged other explorers to follow in his footsteps and seek out new lands. His expeditions also paved the way for further European colonization and the establishment of the first permanent European settlements in America.
The correct answer is a. Columbus inspired others to follow and to invest in trips of exploration and conquest.
To understand why Columbus is given so much credit despite not being the first person to reach the Americas, we need to look at the historical context. Before Columbus, there were various expeditions and explorers who ventured across the Atlantic Ocean. Norse Vikings, for example, had established temporary settlements in present-day Canada around the 11th century. Additionally, indigenous peoples such as the Inuits and various Native American tribes had been living in the Americas for thousands of years.
The reason Columbus is credited is because his voyages in 1492, sponsored by the Spanish monarchy, had significant and lasting impacts. Columbus's expedition sparked widespread interest in exploring and colonizing the New World. His discoveries and reports of the rich resources in the Americas, particularly gold and other valuable goods, motivated subsequent expeditions by other European powers such as England, France, and Portugal.
Moreover, Columbus's expeditions laid the groundwork for the establishment of European colonies, which had profound global consequences. The arrival of Europeans in the Americas brought about the Columbian Exchange, a complex exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between the Old World and the New World. This exchange had lasting impacts on both sides, shaping economies, societies, and even the biological landscape.
While Columbus was not the first person to reach the Americas, his journeys ignited the Age of Exploration, leading to the establishment of European colonies, the exploitation of resources, and the eventual conquest and colonization of vast parts of the Americas by European powers. This historical significance is why Columbus is often given so much credit, despite the presence of earlier visitors and inhabitants in the Americas.