History of the United States I / Unit 1 USH1 0023 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Columbus and the Size of the Earth
Captions available
The idea
Columbus was a Genoese sailor who lobbied six years after Genoa and Venice rejected his plan. Isabella imagined the faith spreading east; Ferdinand hoped for wealth from trade.
In practice
Three small caravels, the largest the Santa María at fifty-eight feet.
Where people slip
Most educated people knew the earth was round. Eratosthenes had calculated its circumference nearly accurately, and Columbus greatly underestimated it.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
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