Amerigo Vespucci
A) sailed on the voyages with Christopher Columbus.
B) was a leading critic of Columbus's claims.
C) hailed from Portugal.
D) never traveled to the New World.
E) helped spread recognition of the idea that the Americas were new continents.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer who made several voyages to the Americas, and he wrote letters describing his experiences. He helped spread recognition of the idea that the Americas were new continents, which eventually led to the use of the name "America" in his honor. He did not sail with Christopher Columbus, was not a leading critic of Columbus's claims, and did not hail from Portugal.