0
When Columbus set sail most europeans believed the world was flat and that his ships would fall off?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
False. Scientists and navigators have known since antiquity that the Earth is round; the Greeks actually had calculated the size of the Earth to within about 10% of it's actual size.
The uneducated masses, the farmers and landlubbers who had never been to sea; those people may have believed that the Earth was flat, because when you're a farmer or a shepherd, the Earth does appear to be flat. But every sailor knew that the Earth was round.
When Columbus set sail, his biggest mistake was that he believed that the Earth was only about 2/3 of the size it is; he also thought that Asia was larger than it actually is, so when his sailors hit land, he was pretty sure that he had reached Asia.
One final point; when maps are art rather than science, it makes perfect sense to draw mythical and imaginary beasts in those points beyond what was known. That's where the dragons and sea serpents came from.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What did Christopher Columbus and his ships sail on?
Christopher Columbus's ships were the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria. They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.
How did christopher Columbus voyages inspire europeans?
Christopher Columbus's voyages inspired European powers to seek out the new world as well.
Christopher Columbus's ships names?
On his first voyage to the new world in 1492, Columbus's ships were Nina (the second "n" has a ~ above it) the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
What three ships did Columbus sail with on his first trip?
this question is incorrect.. christopher Columbus sailed 3 ships to the new world. they were the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria
Chinese ships during the ming dynasty were diffrent than European ships because?
Allegedly, ancient Chinese SEA-GOING vessels were built for exploring the earth; consequently they were built larger. The Chinese may have known that the earth was far vaster than their European counterparts. Recall, if you will, that Europeans believed that the world was FLAT and not round! chinese ships were much heavier
When did the Europeans discover the new world?
The vikings are believed to have discovered the new world first but Christopher Columbus "discovered the new world" in 1629
How did the Europeans explore the New World?
The Europeans explored the New World with ships.
What did Christopher Columbus and his ships sail on?
Christopher Columbus's ships were the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria. They sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.
How did Christopher Columbus get to the new world?
He and his crew went on three ships to get to the new world.
How many ships did Columbus have to discover the New World in 1492?
20
Who were the first europeans to travel around the world in a ship?
ummm.... CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
Who believed that the world was flat?
Whites/Caucasoid's/Caucasians/Europeans/Eurasians.
What were the name of Columbus' ships?
The Nina, The Pinta, The Sainta Maria
How did christopher Columbus voyages inspire europeans?
Christopher Columbus's voyages inspired European powers to seek out the new world as well.
What did Europeans obtain from the Islamic world and Asia to assist them with their explorations of the Atlantic world?
Technology to improve their ships
Was Columbus the first to discover that the world was round?
No. All educated Europeans understood that the world was round and Columbus used that knowledge to propose reaching China by sailing west.
What way did Columbus believe would lead to the indies?
Columbus traveled west from Europe; he believed the world was round.
