Ocean Crossing Open Response

Christopher Columbus set out across the Atlantic Ocean searching for a western route to Asia but instead reached islands in the Caribbean. This passage follows Columbus from his childhood in Genoa through his years as a sailor and his efforts to convince King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to support his proposed voyage. Students learn about the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María and the difficult journey that began in August 1492.

This worksheet examines Columbus’s voyages while also introducing students to their complicated consequences. Readers learn about his encounters with native peoples, his mistaken belief that he had reached the Indies, and the conflicts and hardships that followed European arrival. Students practice identifying motivations, sequencing historical events, and examining both the achievements and harmful consequences associated with exploration.