SAT II World History : Spain and Portugal in Exploration

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #301 : Sat Subject Test In World History

The Spanish Empire ruled all of the following countries EXCEPT

Possible Answers:

Colombia.

The Philippines.

Mexico.

Brazil.

Argentina.

Correct answer:

Brazil.

Explanation:

Beginning with Christopher Columbus' initial voyage in 1492, the Spanish began exploring, conquering, and colonizing the Americas. The Portuguese, having their own growing Empire across Asia and Africa, sought Papal advice on which king could rule which areas. The Treaty of Tordesillas drew a line in the Eastern portion of South America, which gave everything west to Spain and east to Portugal. Thus, the only portion of South America settled by the Portuguese was Brazil.

Example Question #301 : Sat Subject Test In World History

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to fund the expedition of Christopher Columbus in the hopes of accomplishing which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Finding a quicker trade passage to the Far East

Establishing colonies in North America

Establishing colonies in South America

Establishing colonies in the Caribbean

Spreading Christianity to the New World

Correct answer:

Finding a quicker trade passage to the Far East

Explanation:

Columbus' original mission was to find a passage across the Atlantic to establish trade routes with the Far East. When Columbus arrived in the Carribean, he thought he was in the East Indies (hence the use of the term "Indians" for the indiginous people of the Americas). Later Spanish missions would attempt to establish colonies and spread Christianity.

Example Question #2 : Spain And Portugal In Exploration

Columbus' expeditions to the New World were funded by __________.

Possible Answers:

João I

Queen Elizabeth I

Isabella and Ferdinand

Pope Innocent IV

Alexander I

Correct answer:

Isabella and Ferdinand

Explanation:

Columbus' expeditions were funded by the Spanish king and queen, Ferdinand and Isabella.

Example Question #51 : Europe

Which of these types of ships gave Portugal an advantage in the early era of exploration?

Possible Answers:

Trieme

Caravel

Frigate

Galley

Ship of the Line

Correct answer:

Caravel

Explanation:

Caravels were invented in Portugal in the fifteenth century. They were extremely maneuverable and allowed Portugal to explore the African coast and the Indian ocean at remarkable speeds.

Example Question #51 : Europe

Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro were both __________.

Possible Answers:

Spanish conquistadors 

Spanish missionaries 

Portuguese navigators 

Portuguese colonizers 

Spanish Kings

Correct answer:

Spanish conquistadors 

Explanation:

Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro were both Spanish Conquistadors who arrived in South America in the sixteenth century. Using similar tactics that relied on superior weaponry and manipulating old tribal rivalries, Cortes and Pizarro were able to tear down the two largest civilizations—the Aztecs (Cortes) and the Inca (Pizarro)—in what is now called Latin America.

Example Question #302 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Which of these empires is famous for bringing back so much gold and silver from the New World that it was actually detrimental to its economy?

Possible Answers:

English

French

Dutch

Spanish

Portuguese

Correct answer:

Spanish

Explanation:

The early Spanish explorers and colonizers were insatiable in their quest for gold and silver. Driven by the promise of rich reward, they sacrificed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Native Americans and mined deep into the heart of the South American continent. In one way, they were succesful—the amount of gold and silver they flooded into the European market was unprecedented; however, in the long term, the result was almost as bad for Spain as it was for South America. The Spanish companies and individuals owed so much debt to British and Dutch investment banks and companies that the profit ended up in the hands of others and the price of gold and silver in Spain plummeted.

Example Question #53 : Europe

All of these individuals were involved with exploration for Portugal EXCEPT __________.

Possible Answers:

Bartholomew Dias

Henry the Navigator 

Vasco de Gama

Ferdinand Magellan

Christopher Columbus 

Correct answer:

Christopher Columbus 

Explanation:

All of these individuals were involved with Portugese exploration except for Christopher Columbus, who was actually born in Italy but sailed to the New World under the patronage of the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.

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