CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

Christopher Columbus (born between October 31, 1450 and October 30, 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer, born in the Republic of Genoa, Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents. Those voyages initiated the Spanish colonization of the New World.

Though Columbus was not the first European explorer to reach the Americas (having been preceded by the Norse expedition led by Leif Ericson in the 11th century, Columbus' voyages led to the first lasting European contact with the Americans. They had, therefore, an enormous impact in the historical development of the modern Western world. Columbus himself saw his accomplishments primarily in the light of spreading the Christian religion.

Never admitting that he had reached a continent previously unknown to Europeans, rather than the East Indies he had set out for, Columbus called the inhabitants of the lands he visited indios (Spanish for "Indians").

1. Christopher Columbus

a)     Was a Spanish explorer, navigator and colonizer

b)    Was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer

c)     Was an Italian Pope

d)    Was a Portuguese colonizer

2. Christopher Columbus

a)     Followed Leif Ericson’s ships to America

b)    Was a mariner of the Norse expedition to America

c)     Was not the first navigator to arrive in America from Europe

d)    Started the British settlements in America

3. Christopher Columbus

a)     Wanted to go to West Indies

b)    Wanted to go to Australia

c)     Called the new populations Americans

d)    Called the new populations New Italians