Question 1 What role did spices play in European exploration during the 1400s and 1500s?

Question 2 How should economics work – should the strongest survive, or should there be “rules” of the game? Defend your answer with evidence from European explorations

Question 3 Who was the most successful in exploration, Columbus or da Gama? Think both long and short term!

Question 4 Why were Columbus and his financial backers so intent on believing that he had reached the Indies?

Question 5 Da Gama tried to shortchange Indians, Arabs, and Africans as the Portuguese entered the maritime system. Was this tactic smart?

Question 6 What was a degredado and what was their role in exploration? Do you think it is unfortunate that the names of these people are lost to history? Or, are they criminals, undeserving of recognition?

Question 7 What about the conquistadors and explorers? Are they heroes or villains?

Question 8 Discuss and analyze the quote of the degredado coming onshore in Calicut, India. “We have come in search of Christians and spices.”