Christopher Columbus Today you will all become explorers

Christopher Columbus Today, you will all become explorers as we start our voyage learning about Columbus. Anchors Away!

Christopher Columbus was a famous explorer. What is an explorer? • An explorer is a person who travels seeking new discoveries.

• He was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. Does anyone know what continent Italy is located on? _____

• When Columbus was born Europe was going through a time when they were controlled by a group of people called the Ottoman Turks. The Ottoman Turks took control of Constantinople, which was a major trade center between Europe and Asia.

Asia had many items that the Europeans wanted and needed. Does anyone know what a European is? • A person from one of the countries in Europe.

• Asia had items such as gold, silk, and gems. They also had spices such as cloves, nutmeg, and mace. These spices were used as seasonings and medicines.

• Because the Ottoman Turks controlled a major trade center between Europe and Asia, Europeans had a very difficult time getting these treasures from Asia. Explorers began looking for other routes to Asia. This was a problem though, because many peopled believed that the world was flat.

They believed that if you sailed beyond what land was known that you would fall off of the Earth. Because of this, sailors forced to try to sail around the tip of Africa to reach Asia. Columbus was different though. He thought the Earth was round. He believed that they could sail west and reach the Indies or what we now know is Asia.

Columbus new that he would find a trade route to Asia by sailing west, but he needed money to make the trip. Columbus tried many times to get people to pay for his trip but they said NO!!!! In April of 1492, Queen Isabella of Spain and King Ferdinand said that they would pay for Columbus to find a trade route to Asia or the Indies by sailing west.

Columbus took 3 ships. Can you name three ships? Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria Columbus also took a crew of 90 men along with a translator, three physicians, servants, a secretary, and an accountant. Columbus actually set out for Asia in August.

He did not have many navigational instruments so he used the stars to help determine the ships position. What are navigational instruments? Instruments used by sailors that help them find where they are going.

After sailing for a month, the explorers began to doubt they would find land. However, on October 12 th a sailor yelled out “Land, Land. ” What do you think it would have been like to spot land after 2 months of sailing on the open seas?

When Columbus finally reached land, did he land where he was trying to go? NO! Columbus actually landed on an island in the Caribbean Sea called San Salvador -named by Columbus. (located in the Bahamas)

Columbus believed that he had reached the Indies, so he called the people he met, Indians. Columbus made more trips across the ocean, although none as famous as his first. Columbus died a wealthy man in May of 1506.

Review • Where was Columbus born? Genoa, Italy • What continent is Italy located on? Europe • What was Columbus looking for? Western sea route to Asia • What was in Asia? Gems, gold, silk, and spices

• What did Columbus think about the Earth? That it was round • Which direction did Columbus think he could sail to reach the Indies? West • Who gave Columbus money to pay for his voyage? The king and queen of Spain King Ferdinand Queen Isabella • What else did the king and queen give Columbus? Three ships: Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria and a crew of 90 men

• What month did Columbus find land? October • Did Columbus ever actually reach the Indies? No • What did he find instead? America, the New World • What did he name the land he discovered? San Salvador • What country sponsored Columbus on his voyage? Spain • What did Columbus name the natives he met? Why? He named them the Indians, because he thought he had landed in the Indies

• Where is San Salvador located? In the Bahamas • When Columbus died, did he know he had discovered America? No • How do we celebrate Columbus and his discovery of the New World? Columbus Day in October