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• When and why did Ferdinand and Isabella support Columbus?


  -In 1491

  -A successful expedition would raise Spain's international prestige e.g. gain control of new territories before Portugal

  -It could provide a huge income for Spain.

  -Isabella, saw the voyage as an opportunity to spread Christianity.

  -Isabella's personal priest Perez supported Columbus.
• What were the challenges of Columbus' first voyage?


  -Crew was uneasy about sailing for so long.

  -Martin Pinzón disagreed with Columbus' navigational plan.

  -Portuguese rivals could obstruct the navigational plans.

  -Finding ships and crews (through help of Pinzón brothers).
• When did the Columbus' first expedition leave?


  On 3 August 1492
• When was land first sighted on Columbus' expedition?


  -On 11 October 1492

  -Land based birds were spotted first and land was sighted that night
• What happened on 12 October 1492?


  -Columbus and the Pinzón brothers picked members of the crew.

  -They then rowed ashore to claim the land of Spain.
• What did the natives call San Salvador?

  Guanahani
• When and where in Europe did Columbus arrive after his first voyage?


  -Lisbon, Portugal

  -4 March 1493
• What was the significance of Columbus' first voyage?


  -Columbus had discovered land west of Spain and what Columbus believed was a new trade route to the East Indies.

  -Spain could claim lands that were discovered by any explorer backed by the crown, including Columbus.

  -Spain's claims could be challenged by Portugal.
• Why was La Navidad built?


  -On 21 November 1492, Martin Pinzón sailed away without Columbus' permission.

  -Columbus' ship the Santa Maria ran aground on Christmas Eve leaving only the Nina.

  -La Navidad was built to protect the 39 men who stayed on the island.

  -The rest of the men sailed back to Spain on the Nina.
• Why did Columbus leave San Salvador and where did he go?


  -Natives that Columbus met on San Salvador told him to go look for gold further south.

  -After exploring several islands e.g. the Bahamas, Columbus failed to find gold.

  -He landed on Cuba, which he thought was modern day Japan.
• When did Columbus leave San Salvador?


  On 14 October 1492
• What did Columbus call Cuba and why?


  -Columbus called the island Isla Juana after Prince Juan, the son of Ferdinand and Isabella
• When and where did Columbus arrive back in Spain after his first voyage?


  -In Palos, Spain

  -On 15 March 1493

  -Also he arrived in Portugal first
• What were the three ships on Columbus' first voyage?


  -Pinta: Captained by Martin Pinzón

  -Santa Maria: Captained by Columbus

  -Nina: Captained by Martin's brother Vicente and was the smallest of the ships.
• What happened to Martin Pinzón after he left the first voyage?


  -The Pinta found gold on its solo expedition.

  -Rejoined the Nina in Spain and Columbus and Pinzón reunited.
• On Columbus' first expedition what did he discover?


  -Small amounts of gold on Haiti, but Martin Pinzón found more on his solo expedition.

  -'Cotton' known as kapock was used to make strong ropes and blankets.

  -Tobacco was given to the Spaniards as a gift and they picked up the natives habits of smoking tobacco.
• Who were the Tainos? How did Columbus describe them?


  -Natives that lived on San Salvador

  -Peaceful and would make good slaves.

  -Could easily be converted to Christianity.

  -Tainos believed the Spaniards were 'men from the sky' who fulfilled the elders prophecies.

  -Helped the Spaniards and were friendly towards them.
• Who were the the Caribs? How did Columbus describe them?


  -Lived on islands east of the Bahamas e.g. Martinique

  -Constantly raiding the Tainos and stealing slaves and women.

  -Rumours amongst the Tainos and later Spaniards spread that they were cannibals.
• What was the incident at Samana (in Haiti)?


  -The Nina was forced to dock due to a storm.

  -The Spanish went ashore to look for gold and were attacked by natives.

  -Two natives were wounded and they retreated.
• Why was the incident at Samana significant?


  It showed the Spaniards the natives were not afraid to attack and they should be prepared.
• What caused the conflict of who owned the land in the New World?

  -Columbus landed in Lisbon before Spain after first voyage.

  -Met King John of Spain, who believed he had a rightful claim to land.

  -Led to Negotiations taking place in Lisbon.
• What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?


  -An agreement between Portugal and Spain due to the conflict of who the land belonged to.

  -The line was drawn 2,000 km to the west of Cape Verde.

  -All lands to the west were Spanish all lands to the east were Portuguese except the Canaries.
• When was the Treaty of Tordesillas agreed?


  On 7th June 1494
• What was the role of the Pope in Spain's claim of lands?

  -Ferdinand and Isabella asked for the support of the Pope to claim the 'Spanish Indies'.

  -Pope Alexander VI agreed as he was excited at the prospect of spreading Christianity.
• Why was Isabela founded?


  -On 28 November 1493 the second expedition reached La Navidad and found it was burnt to the ground.

  -Columbus was told Spaniards had been stealing women and stealing gold which angered the Tainos.

  -A site for a new settlement was used and named 'Isabela' in honour of Queen Isabella
• Why did Isabela never prosper?


  -The site

  -Spanish greed as they wanted to find gold rather than settle and plant crops.
• When did Columbus leave Haiti to continue exploring after becoming governor and where did he go?


  -He set sail in July 1494

  -Landed on Jamaica
• Who did Columbus leave in charge at Isabela, whilst he explored?


  His brother, Bartholomew
• Why was Santo Domingo built?


  -It was by the Ozama River that had lots of fish and the potential to be a habour.

  -The soils was fertile and there were many fruit trees.
• When did Columbus return to Haiti after exploring and what did he find?


  -In 1498

  -The Tainos were angry by constant demanding of food and women.

  -The Spaniards were in open revolt against Bartholomew's authority.
• How did Columbus restore authority in Santo Domingo?


  -Pardoning the Spanish rebels

  -Giving each of the rebels a parcel of land.

  -Providing native labourers to work this land.
• Who was told to take over from Columbus as governor and when?

  -Francisco de Bobadilla

  -Appointed in spring of 1499

  -He arrived in Haiti in September 1500.
• What happened to Columbus after Bobadilla took over?


  -He was arrested

  -He was allowed to keep his titles, but only in name.

  -He would never work as admiral or viceroy again.
• How did disease and death effect the New World?

  -Spanish brought smallpox and measles to which the natives had no immunity.

  -This had a devastating effect on the native population

  -In Haiti there were 500,000 natives in 1492. By 1507 this had fallen to 60,000
• How were the natives effected in the New World expedition?


  -Natives who resisted slavery were treated brutally e.g. attacked by hunting dogs.

  -Lead to Jaragua massacre in 1503 where the Spanish killed much of the Tainos population.
• How did gold and tribute effect the New World?


  -Natives were required to pay tribute to the Spanish e.g. in gold or cotton.

  -Development of gold mining under Bobadilla and his successor Ovando meant the natives had to work in harsh conditions.
• Who established the encomienda system?

  Nicolas de Ovando, who replaced Bobadilla in 1502.
• What was the Casa de Contratacion and what did it do?


  -House of Trade in Seville

  -Approve all the voyages.

  -Collect all taxes levied in the Indies and Spain.

  -Licence captains and train navigators.
• What were the Laws of Burgos and when were they introduced?


  -In December 1512

  -Ordered by Ferdinand and applied to the whole of the New World.

  -Maintained the encomienda system.

  -Allowed Spain to punish natives who broke the laws.

  -Required natives to learn Christianity

  -Regulated Indians' house of work, housing etc.
• What was the significance of the Law of Burgos?


  -In practice the encomienda system turned the natives into slaves.

  -Many Spaniards took advantage and would abuse the natives.