Question

Which one of the following was NOT a reason that Spanish monarchs Isabel and Ferdinand were more willing than other monarchs to buy Columbus' plan?

A) They had a vision of establishing colonial communities.
B) They had driven out the Muslims and were looking for new conquests.
C) They witnessed the success of the Portuguese ventures.
D) They concluded that potential profits justified the risk in underwriting Columbus' voyages.
E) They were interested in opening trade routes to Asia.

Answer 1

The Spanish monarchs Isabel and Ferdinand were not primarily motivated by a vision of establishing colonial communities; they were driven by the desire to expand Catholicism, gain a commercial advantage, and compete with Portuguese exploratory successes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The option that was NOT a reason Spanish monarchs Isabel and Ferdinand were more willing than other monarchs to finance Columbus' plan is A) They had a vision of establishing colonial communities.

The primary motivations for Isabel and Ferdinand to support Columbus were to expand Catholicism, gain a commercial advantage over Portugal, and to enter the competitive race to reach the Far East before the Portuguese who were expected to find an eastern sea route to Asia around Africa.

After the reconquest of Spain from Muslim control, the Spanish monarchs were ready to look beyond the Iberian Peninsula for new conquests and were encouraged by the success of the Portuguese ventures in navigation. Furthermore, the potential profits from establishing trade routes with Asia and spreading Christianity justified the risks associated with funding Columbus' voyages (D and E).

Supporting the establishment of colonial communities was not a specifically cited reason for their endorsement of Columbus's expedition.