Assignment Sixteen - Solutions

File name: 8ss16

Marks: /40 marks

Section A: Multiple Choice - ______/10 marks
Section B: Definitions - ______/5 marks
Section C: Fill-in-the-Blank - ______/10 marks
Section D: Short Answer - ______/15 marks
ASSIGNMENT TOTAL: ______/40 marks

Section A - Multiple Choice (10 marks)

Read each of the following questions below and then choose the BEST answer by highlighting your choice. Each question is worth one mark.

  1. During the Renaissance, Spain was interested in becoming the richest and most powerful nation in the world. It has been said that it wholeheartedly pursued the ‘three G’s.’ What were the three G’s?
  • God, Glory and Geography
  • Glory, Gold, and Gratitude
  • Gold, Greatness, and Glory
  • Gold, God, and Glory
  1. Why was Spain so interested in finding valuable minerals and elements during its voyages of exploration and expansion?
  • Spain wanted to be able to boast and brag about its newfound sources of wealth from its colonies.
  • Spain’s main priority was to become the most knowledgeable and scientific nation in the world.
  • Spain literally had used up all its gold and silver reserves while fighting the Muslims for years. (page 207)
  • Spain was jealous of the wealth that the Indigenous peoples in the Americas had boasted about for years.
  1. Why did King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella quickly agree to sponsor Columbus’ second voyage and make it into a major expedition?
  • The monarchs thought this was the only way to convince Columbus to become a Spanish citizen.
  • Columbus had exaggerated about the amount of gold he found during his first voyage. (page 208)
  • Queen Isabella possessed an extreme curiosity about the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
  • They wanted Columbus to track down and capture Sir Francis Drake, the sworn enemy of Spain.

4. What was the difference between the nobles and hidalgos in Spain?

  • The nobles were wealthy, powerful landowners, and the hidalgos were poorer nobles who did not own any land. (page 209)
  • The hidalgos were wealthy, powerful landowners, and the nobles were privileged citizens who did not own any land.
  • The nobles were part of the Spanish royal court, but the hidalgos were the personal favourites of the King and Queen.
  • The hidalgos were part of the Spanish royal court, but the nobles were the personal favourites of the King and Queen.
  1. Which of the following would be considered an example of propaganda?
  • the front cover of your Worldviews: Contact and Change Social Studies textbook
  • an artist’s picture of El Cid from an online encyclopaedia
  • a newspaper flyer announcing the grand opening of a new clothing store in town
  • an armed forces recruitment poster showing a brave soldier defending his country (page 210)

6. Why are statues of El Cid found throughout Spain and many other regions around the world where Spanish culture and history are important?

  • El Cid was a military genius who represents bravery, loyalty, and honour to all Spanish people. (page 211)
  • El Cid could be a fictional character and people still wonder whether or not he actually existed.
  • El Cid was a complex man who fought for the Muslim forces and reduced Spain to ruins.
  • El Cid was one of the best horsemen in Spanish history who followed Columbus on his voyages.

7. Why is the lengthy poem about El Cid so important to Spanish culture?

  • Modern poetry students from all over the world study this poem.
  • A famous Spanish monk named Cavillo wrote this poem.
  • This poem is considered to be the beginning of Spanish literature. (page 212)
  • This poem was the first one printed by a printing press in Spain.

8. Why is the concept of glory unique from culture to culture and person to person?

  • There is no definition for the word ‘glory’ in the dictionary because it is an undefined characteristic.
  • Every person’s idea of glory is unique, and based on his or her beliefs, values, and experiences. (page 211)
  • The idea of glory was adopted from the Code of Chivalry and not everyone has read this code.
  • Historians disagree about the value of glory; some think it is positive while others see it as negative.

9. Which of these factors was the best motivation for Spain’s drive to explore the American continents?

  • Spain’s desire for international recognition
  • Spain’s desire for loyalty to its monarchs
  • Spain’s desire for religious conversions
  • Spain’s desire for trade and income (page 208)

10. Which of the following would be the best example of a primary source?

  • a Spanish historian’s 300-page book written about El Cid and his glory
  • a bumper sticker that encourages people to know about their nation’s history
  • the museum exhibit where Columbus’ personal daily diary entries are displayed (page 208 and previous knowledge)
  • a traditional Spanish bedtime story that is told from generation to generation

Section B - Definitions (5 marks)

Using your own words, write definitions for the given terms and phrases on the lines provided. Each definition will be worth one mark. An example is given to help you get started.

Example:

clergy – people ordained to perform religious services for their communities

1. hidalgos - the sons of Spanish lower class nobles

2. propaganda - using exaggerated or distorted information to influence

or manipulate people to act in a certain way

3. conquistador - the Spanish word meaning “any hero who led

expeditions to imperialize other lands”

4. monarch - kings and queens who rule nations

5. worldview - the knowledge, values, and attitudes that influence how a

person interacts with the world

Section C - Fill-in-the-Blank (10 marks)

Using the word list below, complete each of the statements with the appropriate words. Be careful! Some of the words will be used more than once and other words may not be used at all. An example is given to help you get started. The value of each question is located in the brackets at the end of the statement.

bravery / hidalgos / Queen Isabella
Code of Chivalry / King Ferdinand / Reconquista
Columbus / land / Renaissance
contact / monarchs / risks
El Cid / nobles / Spain
fact / Oath of Loyalty / tradition
geography / poem / wars
glory / Portugal / wealth

Example: During the Renaissance, Spain became a wealthy and powerful nation.

1. Many hidalgos supported the voyages to the Americas because they thought the voyages may provide them with the land they had never owned. (2 marks)

2. The Code of Chivalry was based on bravery, fairness, good behavior, and honor. It was supposed to govern the actions of all Christian soldiers at home and abroad. (1 mark)

3. Of the two Spanish monarchs, it was King Ferdinand who was the most hesitant and reluctant to support Columbus’ first voyage. (1 mark)

4. The reputation of El Cid is part of Spanish culture and history due to his accomplishments on the Renaissance battlefields. (1 mark)

5. The Spanish were willing to takevarious risks to expand and glorify their empire. (1 mark)

6. Propaganda is known for its ability to take a small fact and twist it into an enormous lie. (1 mark)

7. Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar was the birth name for this Spanish icon: El Cid. (1 mark)

8. The Reconquista, otherwise known as the Spanish wars against the Muslims, depleted Spain of its sources of wealth. (2 marks)

Section D – Short Answer (15 marks)

Answer the questions below USING COMPLETE SENTENCES (½ mark will be deducted for every question that uses incomplete sentences). The value for each is in parentheses at the end of the question.

  1. What was the Code of Chivalry and why was it important to Spanish Renaissance culture? (2 marks)

The Code of chivalry was the set of expectations that governed the behaviour of the traditional Christian knights. It was important to Spanish Renaissance culture because the stories about the Code celebrated the bravery of the Spanish knights. According to the textbook (page 212), “these tales would inspire many generations of Spanish youths to follow the knightly ideal of winning on the battlefield.” The Code of chivalry became a part of Spanish identity. (page 212)

  1. What were the only two ways that Spanish nobles could support themselves? (1 mark)

The only two ways Spanish nobles could support themselves were through war and land. (page 209)

  1. Why does the definition of ‘glory’ vary from culture to culture? (1 mark)

The definition of glory varies from culture to culture because it is based on a person’s beliefs, values, and experiences. (page 211)

  1. List any four qualities or characteristics that the Code of Chivalry recommended. (2 marks)

Possible responses could be bravery, loyalty, success on the battlefield, fairness, and faith in God. (page 212)

  1. Explain why the Spanish were so desperate to find more gold, silver, and other precious metals and gems. (1mark)

Spain had used up its gold and silver supplies while fighting the Muslims during the lengthy years of the Reconquista. War is expensive. Waging war for those many years left the Spanish national treasury almost bankrupt. (page 207)

  1. Define “prestige” and provide one example. (1 mark)

Student examples will vary, but prestige is the glory or fame achieved as a result of one’s actions or decisions. Examples could be El Cid’s reputation on the battlefield, the royal status of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Columbus’ fame as a result of his voyages, etc. (Workbook objectives/vocabulary)

  1. What was the main purpose of the Spanish missionaries at this time? (1 mark)

The main purpose of the Spanish missionaries at this time was to go abroad and convert as many people as possible to Christianity. (page 207)

  1. Why would life for a hidalgo be more difficult than the life of a regular noble at Spanish court? (1 mark)

An ordinary noble at Spanish court usually owned land and

took a share of its crops, livestock, and earnings. Because

hidalgos did not own land, they found it much more difficult to

support themselves and their families. (page 209)

  1. Who was El Cid and explain why he is such a controversial character in Spanish history? (2 marks)

El Cid was one of Spain’s national heroes. He was a very controversial character because even though he was a Christian knight, he also sometimes fought on the Muslim side. (pages 211 and 212)

  1. Define “empire.” (1 mark)

An empire is a union of dispersed states and unrelated people

under one rule.

  1. Why did hidalgos refuse to become laborers to help support themselves and their families? (1 mark)

Nobles and hidalgos alike found any type of physical labor demeaning based on their position and status. As a result, so as to not ‘debase’ their ranks, they refused to become laborers to help support themselves. (page 209)

  1. Why did Columbus exaggerate about the amount of gold he found during his first voyage? (1 mark)

Columbus exaggerated this amount for three possible reasons. He knew that the small amount of gold that he had found on Hispaniola during his first voyage would not impress or help the Spanish monarchs who sponsored his trip. Also, he exaggerated the amount so both King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella would support a second voyage as a major expedition (which they did). And lastly, Columbus’ desire for personal fame may have led him to fib about the amount. (pages 208 and 209)