The primary reason Columbus believed he had reached Asia was that he made mistakes in estimating the size of the earth. Columbus underestimated the distance between Europe and Asia and overestimated the size of Asia itself. He thought that by sailing west from Europe, he could reach the eastern regions of Asia more quickly, not realizing he had actually encountered the Americas. Additionally, when he met the indigenous peoples, he assumed they were from the East Indies, which contributed to his incorrect belief.
What caused Columbus to think he had reached Asia?
Responses
The people he met told him he was in Asia.
The people he met told him he was in Asia.
His ships were pushed far off course by storms.
His ships were pushed far off course by storms.
He made mistakes in estimating the size of the earth.
He made mistakes in estimating the size of the earth.
His crew made mistakes in using their navigational instruments.
1 answer