20 Questions
From which perspective is the story about first contact between Renaissance Europeans and the Taino told?
The perspective of the Renaissance explorers
What motivated the Renaissance explorers to take such difficult, risky journeys?
Desire for wealth and expansion
What was the basis for Columbus's estimate of the distance to Asia?
Writings of Marco Polo and ancient scholar Ptolemy
Why were people surprised when they visited replicas of Columbus's ships?
The ships were smaller than expected
How many sea monsters can you find on the map of the North Sea from 1539?
The map does not depict any sea monsters
What is the main subject of the painting by Louis Prang and Company?
Arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas
What motivated societies to venture into unknown regions beyond their borders?
Economy
What did the Taino girls see on the beach in the Caribbean Sea?
Large strange boats with huge sails
What challenge did explorers face when setting out across an ocean without a map?
No knowledge of when they might see land
Who were the Taino girls planning to tell about what they had seen on the beach?
Villagers from their village
What motivated Renaissance Europeans to explore beyond Europe?
To find new trade routes to the East for luxury goods
Why were spices expensive for European consumers during the Renaissance?
Due to the long distances they traveled and passing through many hands
What was one of the problems Renaissance Europeans faced with the existing trade of luxury goods?
High prices as the goods passed through multiple traders
Which group of merchants were responsible for transporting spices from India and the Far East to European markets during the Renaissance?
Arab merchants
What was one of the concerns regarding the trade routes for luxury goods during the Renaissance?
Security of the trade routes
What was one of the motivations for European exploration during the Renaissance?
To find new sources of precious metals like gold and silver
What aspect of people’s worldview during the Renaissance became important during the Age of Exploration?
The idea of spreading Christianity
Why did Europeans believe that a sea route to the East was the solution to their trade problems?
To establish control over their supply of goods
What was the significance of gold coins during the Renaissance trading economy?
They were more valuable than silver coins
Why did Prince Henry and many other European Christians hope to locate Prester John?
To join forces with him in a crusade against the Muslims
Test your historical interpretation skills by analyzing a painting of Christopher Columbus arriving in the Americas. Explore the possible actions of Columbus depicted in the painting and consider the societal factors that may have motivated exploration beyond known borders.
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