Hist 201: European Exploration and Historical Connections Quiz

Marco Polo was an Italian explorer known for his travels to the far east and his detailed journals documenting his journey.

The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that connected the East and West, facilitating cultural exchange and trade of goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals.

Prince Henry the Navigator was a key figure in the Age of Exploration, known for his dedication to overseas expedition, establishment of a school for navigators, significant financial investments in expeditions, and his Catholic background.

The Mariner's Compass was actually not originally invented by Europeans, but rather in China. It was used to show which direction one was traveling, and Europeans later adopted the compass to create the Marine's Compass, which became popular for navigation in the Atlantic.

The Mariner's Astrolabe was actually developed in Europe, derived from similar instruments brought from the Middle East by Arabs. It helped Muslims determine the direction of prayer, was adopted to determine latitude, and contributed to the creation of more accurate maps.

Caravels were a type of ship specifically designed by Europeans for overseas exploration, known for their triangle sails and navigational capabilities.

The Canary Islands are a group of Spanish islands located off the northwest coast of Africa.

Madeira is actually a Portuguese territory known for its production of fortified wine, made from grapes grown on the islands.

The Azores is a group of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is known for its unique natural beauty and geothermal features.

The correct answer is Portuguese as they were the ones who originally settled and established the Cape Verde Islands.

Elmina Castle was constructed by the Portuguese as a trading post to trade for gold with local rulers in Western Africa. It had stone walls, cannons, and was later taken over by the British.

Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer who reached the Southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope, in 1487. He returned to Portugal and shared his discoveries, and in the future, he attempted to get further in his explorations.

Cape of Good Hope is a historic cape in South Africa, known for being a significant milestone in the Age of Exploration. Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias reached the cape in 1488, becoming the first European to do so. It became a crucial stopover point for ships traveling between Europe and Asia.

Vasco de Gama was a Portuguese explorer known for his successful voyage to India by circumnavigating Africa. He played a crucial role in establishing a sea route from Europe to Asia.

Christopher Columbus is known for presenting the idea to sail west to reach the far east by crossing the Atlantic. While other explorers like Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, and Amerigo Vespucci made significant voyages and discoveries, they were not specifically known for this particular concept.

The Reconquista was a series of wars fought between Christian kingdoms and Muslim Moors over the Kingdom of Granada in Spain. The goal was to reconquer the territory and ultimately make it Christian.

The Moors were Muslims who were pushed back to Southern Spain and founded the Kingdom of Granada. They were given the choice to either convert to Catholicism or leave Granada.

The Kingdom of Granada was located in Southern Spain where Muslims established a powerful kingdom ruled by the Moors.

Ferdinand and Isabel of Spain were a powerful royal couple responsible for uniting the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon through their marriage. They were known for their Catholic faith and for funding Christopher Columbus' voyage to the Americas.

San Salvador in the Bahamas was the first place Columbus landed during his initial voyage. Although he didn't find the riches he sought, his encounter with the Tainos marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization in the Americas.

Columbus encountered the Tainos, not the Mayans, Vikings, or Incas, during his voyage to San Salvador.

After landing in San Salvador, Columbus continued his exploration by landing in Hispaniola and Cuba before returning to Spain.

Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer who played a key role in the discovery of the New World. His journal and maps contributed to the naming of the continent America after him.

The Conquistadors were Spanish conquerors and military men who sought wealth through exploration and conquest in the Americas. They were not primarily explorers looking for new trade routes, artists/writers, or missionaries.

Hernan Cortez is primarily known for his exploration into Mexico, leading to the discovery and eventual conquest of the Aztec Empire. He established 'New Spain' for Spain and played a significant role in the colonization of the region.

New Spain refers to the territory established by Hernan Cortez in Mexico, which eventually became a part of Spain's colonial empire. The other incorrect answers do not accurately describe New Spain's historical context.

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador who is known for conquering the Inca Empire in South America. He renamed the territory to 'New Granada' and established the city of 'Lima.' Pizarro was ultimately killed by his own men due to greed and disputes over the spoils of his conquest.

Hernando de Soto led an expedition in the U.S. southeast from 1539-1542 where he explored and discovered significant parts of the region before ultimately dying during the journey.