Christopher Columbus
Storyboard Text
- The Indian Ocean Trade Network is very similar to the silk road. These trade routes were located in the Indian Ocean, spanning between many places along the way to the cape of good hope. These locations include Swahili coast cities, Islamic Empires in the Middle East, India, China, Asia, and Africa. The trade route was there so that those who needed supplies unavailable in their area would be able to gain these supplies for a price. Common things that were traded using the Indian Ocean Trade Network include elephant ivory, timber, books, and gain. However, Christopher Columbus aspired to find a more direct trading rout; one that could lead to the other side of the continent with fewer obstacles.
- The rulers of Spain agreed to fund Christopher Columbus's voyage on two conditions: that 1) he converted the people he came across to Catholicism, and 2) he agreed to bring back riches for Spain. With his voyage backed, Christopher Columbus set out on his journey in 1492. He had thought that if he traveled west from Europe, he would circle the globe and find a direct rout to the other side of the continent (blue line). The voyage around Africa, rounding the cape of good hope, had become tedious and repetitive (red line).
- However, the journey was much longer than expected. The maps that were in use at the time proved to be incorrect, as they overestimated the size of Asia and underestimated the size of the ocean. Finally, Columbus found land, He believed be had been successful in his journey and had landed in Indonesia. This is why he called the native people there Indians. However, as it sows in the blue line above, Columbus came in contact with a land mass before he could reach Indonesia: the Americas. Columbus traveled between many different islands such as the Bahamas before he returned to Spain.
- Three cool inventions that were main during this time:1) The Magnetic Compass from China. China invented this compass that is able to detect the magnetic pull of earth and show where you are in relation to the poles. 2) Astrolabe from Muslim Sailors. These sailors invented this tool to help you determine your location and time. This gadget uses the stars and the sun to calculate your latitude and the time zone you are in. 3) The Sternpost rudder on ships. This rudder is used to redirect the water at the back of the boat in a new direction, thereby steering the boat in a certain direction. This was also invented in China.
- In contrast to Christopher Columbus, Zhuang He did not explore. He mostly brought supplies to trade in order to gain fame and respect for China. De Gama, another famous explorer around the same time as Columbus, was the first to sail the Indian Ocean around Africa. This was the route that became the Indian Ocean trade route. Christopher Columbus, however, believed that there was a quicker way to the other side of the continent. This is why he voyaged towards the west of Europe. He believed he could find an easier and more direct route than the one accomplished my De Gama.
- When Columbus landed in the Americas, he believed he had been successful in traveling all the way across the ocean. He believed he had landed in Indonesia, which we know to be incorrect. He had no idea there was a separate land mass between Europe nd Indonesia. After finding this land, Columbus and his men built a colony and began searching for gold. They thought the land would be full of riches. Of course the Europeans saw this as a great opportunity, but the natives saw it as the destruction of their culture, traditions, and people.
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