Question

age of exploration dbqs
historical context: by the late 1400s europeans had grown accustomed to having access to the riches and luxuries of china, india, and the islands of southeast asia (because of the silk road). traveling to and from these distant lands was difficult, and european explorers became determined to find sea routes to the east. increasing european exploration led to many changes around the world.
directions: using information from these documents and your knowledge of world history (from our notes), answer the questions that follow each document. highlight or underline where in the source you found your answer. all answers must be in complete sentences.
document 1:
most high and mighty sovereigns, in obedience to your highnesses commands, and with submission to superior judgment, i will say whatever occurs to me in reference to the colonization and commerce of the island of espanola, and of the other islands, both those already discovered and those that may be discovered hereafter.
in the first place, as regards the island of espanola: ... the number of colonists who desire to go thither amounts to two thousand, owing to the land being safer and better for farming and trading, and ... it will serve as a place to which they can return and from which they can carry on trade with the neighboring islands.
-christopher columbus, letter to the king and queen of spain, 1494

1. what was the island that was colonized?
2. how many people colonized the island, and why?

Explanation:

1. The text from Christopher Columbus' letter clearly mentions the island of Espanola as the colonized one.
2. The letter states that two - thousand people desired to colonize Espanola because it was safer and better for farming and trading, and could serve as a trading hub with neighboring islands.

Answer:

1. The island that was colonized was Espanola.
2. Two thousand people desired to colonize the island because it was safer and better for farming and trading, and could be used as a place to return to and carry on trade with neighboring islands.