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Western Civilization I / Unit 16   WC1 1506 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Columbus, 1492: The Miscalculation That Found a Hemisphere

Captions available

The idea

Columbus, a Genoese refused by Portugal, misjudged the earth's size, not its shape, which educated Europeans knew was round. In fourteen ninety-two Isabella sent him with three ships and about ninety men; he reached the Bahamas, Cuba and Hispaniola and believed it was Asia.

In practice

Four voyages; recalled in chains.

Where people slip

Indians is his error. His brutality as governor is the record.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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