Question 1:
Who sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492?
A. King Henry VIII of England
B. King Francis I of France
C. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain
D. King Manuel I of Portugal
Answer: C. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain
Explanation: Columbus’s voyage was funded by the Spanish monarchs, leading to the discovery of the Americas and initiating Spanish colonization.
Question 2:
Which treaty divided the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal in 1494?
A. Treaty of Utrecht
B. Treaty of Tordesillas
C. Treaty of Westphalia
D. Treaty of Paris
Answer: B. Treaty of Tordesillas
Explanation: This treaty, mediated by the Pope, divided the world along a meridian, giving Spain control over lands west and Portugal lands east.
Question 3:
What was the primary goal of Prince Henry the Navigator’s expeditions?
A. Conquering new territories in Asia
B. Establishing colonies in the Americas
C. Discovering new trade routes to India
D. Spreading Catholicism in Europe
Answer: C. Discovering new trade routes to India
Explanation: Prince Henry of Portugal supported explorations along the African coast to find a sea route to Asia for trade purposes.
Question 4:
Which Portuguese explorer was the first to reach India by sea in 1498?
A. Ferdinand Magellan
B. Bartolomeu Dias
C. Vasco da Gama
D. Pedro Álvares Cabral
Answer: C. Vasco da Gama
Explanation: Vasco da Gama’s journey around the Cape of Good Hope to India opened up a lucrative spice trade route for Portugal.
Question 5:
Who was the first European to circumnavigate the globe?
A. Christopher Columbus
B. Vasco da Gama
C. Ferdinand Magellan
D. Bartolomeu Dias
Answer: C. Ferdinand Magellan
Explanation: Though Magellan died during the voyage, his expedition (1519-1522) was the first to circumnavigate the earth, proving its roundness.
Question 6:
What was the primary motivation for Spanish and Portuguese explorations?
A. Religious harmony
B. Scientific discovery
C. Economic profit and territorial expansion
D. Political alliances
Answer: C. Economic profit and territorial expansion
Explanation: Both nations sought to acquire wealth, particularly through gold, spices, and trade routes, while expanding their empires.
Question 7:
Which Portuguese explorer discovered Brazil in 1500?
A. Vasco da Gama
B. Pedro Álvares Cabral
C. Ferdinand Magellan
D. Bartolomeu Dias
Answer: B. Pedro Álvares Cabral
Explanation: While en route to India, Cabral accidentally landed in Brazil, claiming it for Portugal under the Treaty of Tordesillas.
Question 8:
Which Spanish conquistador overthrew the Aztec Empire?
A. Hernán Cortés
B. Francisco Pizarro
C. Vasco Núñez de Balboa
D. Juan Ponce de León
Answer: A. Hernán Cortés
Explanation: Cortés led an expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in 1521, establishing Spanish control over Mexico.
Question 9:
What was the primary commodity sought by Portuguese traders in Africa?
A. Gold and slaves
B. Tea and silk
C. Timber and spices
D. Cotton and tobacco
Answer: A. Gold and slaves
Explanation: Portuguese explorers established trading posts along the African coast to trade gold and enslaved Africans.
Question 10:
Which Spanish explorer discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513?
A. Hernán Cortés
B. Vasco Núñez de Balboa
C. Francisco Pizarro
D. Ferdinand Magellan
Answer: B. Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Explanation: Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama, becoming the first European to view the Pacific Ocean from the New World.
Question 11:
What was the primary aim of the Spanish encomienda system?
A. To convert natives to Christianity
B. To organize labor and extract resources from the Americas
C. To educate indigenous people
D. To establish democratic governance
Answer: B. To organize labor and extract resources from the Americas
Explanation: The encomienda system granted Spanish colonists the right to extract labor and tribute from indigenous populations.
Question 12:
What did Bartolomeu Dias achieve in 1488?
A. Reached India by sea
B. Discovered the Cape of Good Hope
C. Conquered the Aztecs
D. Founded the colony of Brazil
Answer: B. Discovered the Cape of Good Hope
Explanation: Dias’s voyage around the southern tip of Africa proved it was possible to reach the Indian Ocean by sea.
Question 13:
Which crop became a staple in Europe as a result of Spanish exploration?
A. Sugarcane
B. Wheat
C. Potatoes
D. Rice
Answer: C. Potatoes
Explanation: Potatoes, introduced from the Americas, became a vital crop in Europe due to their adaptability and high yield.
Question 14:
What was the main reason Spain established colonies in the Americas?
A. To spread Protestantism
B. To acquire wealth through resources and trade
C. To create a political alliance with Portugal
D. To escape European conflicts
Answer: B. To acquire wealth through resources and trade
Explanation: Spain sought gold, silver, and other valuable resources, which fueled its colonial expansion in the Americas.
Question 15:
Which explorer\u2019s voyage proved the Earth could be circumnavigated?
A. Christopher Columbus
B. Vasco da Gama
C. Ferdinand Magellan
D. Hernán Cortés
Answer: C. Ferdinand Magellan
Explanation: The expedition led by Magellan demonstrated the Earth’s roundness and paved the way for global maritime exploration.
Question 16:
Which Spanish explorer led an expedition to the Incan Empire?
A. Hernán Cortés
B. Vasco Núñez de Balboa
C. Francisco Pizarro
D. Pedro de Alvarado
Answer: C. Francisco Pizarro
Explanation: Pizarro conquered the Incan Empire in the 1530s, securing vast amounts of silver for Spain.
Question 17:
What is the significance of the Line of Demarcation?
A. Divided Protestant and Catholic nations in Europe
B. Divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal
C. Defined European colonial borders in Africa
D. Established trading routes to Asia
Answer: B. Divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal
Explanation: The Line of Demarcation, established by the Treaty of Tordesillas, divided exploration rights between the two nations.
Question 18:
What resource was most associated with Spanish colonies in the Americas?
A. Spices
B. Gold and silver
C. Wool
D. Tea
Answer: B. Gold and silver
Explanation: Gold and silver mining, particularly in regions like Potosí, was central to the wealth generated by Spanish colonies.
Question 19:
Which Portuguese explorer was killed in the Philippines during his voyage?
A. Vasco da Gama
B. Ferdinand Magellan
C. Bartolomeu Dias
D. Pedro Álvares Cabral
Answer: B. Ferdinand Magellan
Explanation: Magellan died during a conflict in the Philippines, but his crew completed the first circumnavigation of the globe.
Question 20:
What was the purpose of Portuguese fortifications along the African coast?
A. To protect against European rivals
B. To safeguard trade routes and control the slave trade
C. To colonize the interior of Africa
D. To spread Christianity
Answer: B. To safeguard trade routes and control the slave trade
Explanation: Portuguese forts ensured their dominance over trade routes, particularly for gold, ivory, and enslaved people.
