Why did the Portuguese reject Columbus's proposed route to Cathay?
A) They wanted Columbus to sail to India, not Cathay.
B) They believed that Columbus had underestimated the Earth's circumference.
C) They believed the Earth was round.
D) They believed that Columbus had no intention of reaching Cathay and was presenting a false route simply to gain monetary support.
E) They thought that Columbus would encounter too many hostile Indians on his proposed route.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Portuguese rejected Columbus's proposed route to Cathay because they believed he had underestimated the Earth's circumference. They were familiar with the size of the Earth and knew that Columbus would not be able to reach Cathay by sailing west.

Why Did the Portuguese Reject Columbus's Proposed Route to Cathay