Social Studies Chapter 4 Quiz

Explanation
Columbus sailed to the new world in an attempt to find the Indies. The Indies, also known as the East Indies, referred to the region in Southeast Asia that was rich in spices and other valuable goods. Columbus believed that by sailing west, he could reach the Indies faster and establish a direct trade route with Asia, bypassing the Ottoman Empire and the Silk Road. However, he ended up discovering the Americas instead, unaware that he had stumbled upon a whole new continent.

Explanation
King Ferdinand is the correct answer because he was the one who provided financial support for Christopher Columbus' exploration. Columbus presented his plan to Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, and after several rejections, they eventually agreed to fund his voyage. Ferdinand saw the potential benefits of Columbus' expedition, including the possibility of finding new trade routes and expanding Spanish influence. Therefore, it was King Ferdinand who paid for Columbus' exploration.

Explanation
The ships used in Columbus' expedition were the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Nita is not a ship that was used in Columbus' expedition.

Explanation
Historians believe that Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas Islands because there is substantial evidence to support this claim. Columbus himself wrote in his journal that he had reached the islands, and there are also accounts from the indigenous people who lived there at the time. Additionally, archaeological findings in the Bahamas have uncovered artifacts from Columbus' time, further confirming his landing there.

Explanation
During the Columbian Exchange, various items were exchanged between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, such as people, animals, and plants. However, diets were not specifically moved between the two hemispheres. While the exchange of plants and animals did impact diets in both hemispheres, the actual diets themselves, which refer to the specific food choices and eating habits of a population, were not directly transported or exchanged.

Explanation
America was named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer and cartographer who was one of the first to suggest that the lands discovered by Christopher Columbus were part of a new continent, separate from Asia. Vespucci's name became associated with the continent, and the name "America" was derived from his Latinized name, "Americus."

Explanation
The correct answer is Mexico City because it was the capital established by New Spain. New Spain was a Spanish colony in the Americas, and Mexico City was founded by the Spanish in 1521 on the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. It became the political, economic, and cultural center of New Spain and remained the capital even after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico City continues to be the capital of Mexico today.

Explanation
Hernando de Soto was the first explorer to reach the mouth of the Mississippi River. He was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition into the southeastern part of North America in the 16th century. De Soto and his men reached the Mississippi River in 1541, becoming the first Europeans to lay eyes on this important waterway. His exploration of the river played a significant role in opening up the region to further European colonization and trade.

Explanation
An ally is someone who supports and helps another person or group. They are not an enemy, cousin, parent, or the specific name "Allie". Instead, an ally is a friend who stands by you and works together towards a common goal.

Explanation
A plantation is a large farm. Plantations are typically known for cultivating and harvesting cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, or sugarcane on a large scale. These farms often span vast areas of land and employ a significant number of workers. The term "plantation" is commonly associated with historical agricultural practices in regions like the southern United States, where large-scale farming of crops like cotton was prevalent.

Explanation
The conquistadors were a group of explorers and conquerors who were primarily from Europe. They played a significant role in the colonization and conquest of the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries. They were mainly from countries such as Spain and Portugal, which were located in Europe. Therefore, the correct answer is Europe.