Question 1

Which type of ship allowed Christopher Columbus to reach the United States because of their better maneuverability and capability for longer exploratory voyages?

Accepted Answer

The caravel

Question 2

Describe the circumstances of Columbus' first voyage to the Americas.

Accepted Answer

In August of 1492, Columbus used three caravels (la Niña, la Pinta, and Santa María), supplied and funded by the Spanish crown, to set sail toward India. After an arduous voyage, Columbus and his men reached land on October 12, 1492. At dawn, Columbus went ashore and encountered a group of people who called themselves the Taino. He renamed their island San Salvador and claimed it for Spain.

Question 3

Leif Ericson

Accepted Answer

1000 CE - From Norway, First explorer to come ashore in the New England Area

Question 4

Bartolomeu Dias

Accepted Answer

1487 - From Portugal, First to sail around the southernmost tip of Africa, setting up the route from Europe to Asia

Question 5

Christopher Columbus

Accepted Answer

1492 - From Spain, Landed in the Bahamas – eventually, this would lead to the discovery of the Americas

Question 6

John Cabot

Accepted Answer

1497 - England, Sailed to Chesapeake Bay; helped lay the groundwork for the later British claim to Canada

Question 7

Amerigo Vespucci

Accepted Answer

1499 - Spain, Explored the coast of South America; America was named after Amerigo

Question 8

Juan Ponce de Leon

Accepted Answer

1513 - Spain, Discovered Florida; died looking for the fountain of youth

Question 9

Ferdinand Magellan

Accepted Answer

1519 - Spain, Reached the southern part of South America while attempting to circumnavigate the globe

Question 10

Hernan Cortez

Accepted Answer

1519- Spain, Conquered the Aztecs in Mexico

Question 11

Francisco Pizarro

Accepted Answer

1531 - Spain, Conquered the Incas in Peru

Question 12

Jacques Cartier

Accepted Answer

1534 - France, Looked for the northwest passage; explored parts of Canada

Question 13

Francisco Vasquez Coronado

Accepted Answer

1540 - Spain, Explored and led a large expedition from Mexico to present-day Kansas through parts of the southwestern United States

Question 14

Samuel de Champlain

Accepted Answer

1603 - France, Explored and established the city of Quebec in the northern colony of New France

Question 15

Henry Hudson

Accepted Answer

1607 - England, Discovered the Hudson River and Hudson Bay

1.3 European Exploration in the Americas, AP United States History Flashcards