Revision Questions
e., to the
growing, scientific civilizations of Western Europe. The result, ultimately, was the
United States of America. It was Columbus' discovery for Western Europe that led to
the influx of ideas and people on which this nation was founded--and on which it still
rests. The opening of America brought the ideas and achievements of Aristotle, Galileo,
Newton, and the thousands of thinkers, writers, and inventors who followed.
Queen Isabella pawning her jewels to finance Columbus' trip. This myth of the pawned
jewels obscures the true and more sinister story of how Columbus financed his trip. The
Spanish monarch invested in his excursion, but only on the condition that Columbus
would repay this investment with profit by bringing back gold, spices, and other tribute
from Asia. This pressing need to repay his debt underlies the frantic tone of Columbus'
diaries as he raced from one Caribbean island to the next, stealing anything of value.
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