2nd Year - People in History

Question 1

A Named Leader on a Voyage During the Age of Exploration

Answer 1

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506)

1. Born in port city of Genoa, Italy; gained sailing experience in Mediterranean + went to Portugal where he learned Atlantic sailing + navigation
2. Believed the earth was round, was determined to prove he could reach the east by sailing west (cut out COGH)
3. Failed to get sponsorship from King of Portugal (only interested in African route) so went to rivals, King Ferdinand + Queen Isabella of Spain
4. Persuaded them to sponsor him by promising them gold, spices, an empire for Spain, + the chance to convert pagans to Christianity
5. Given two caravels (Nina + Pinta, captained by Martin + Vincente Pinzon) + a nao (bigger, improved version of the caravel) called the Santa Maria as his flagship
6. Provisions made up of hard flat bread made with slat to preserve it, sales meat, beans, dried fish, garlic, rice + wine
7. Set sail on August 3rd from Palos to Canaries, where they took on supplies of water + fresh food before setting out across Atlantic
8. Sailors nervous about sailing out of sight of land, fears included…
9. Columbus thought journey would take around 3 weeks, but still no sight of land by beginning of October (had seriously miscalculated how far they needed to travel
10. Lied about how far they had travelled + used two log books to calm fears to sailors, diary which he kept = valuable primary source (details of voyage)
11. Sailors began to suffer from scurvy, some demanded he turned back but Martin Pinzon dealt with this threat of mutiny
12. Land sighted on 12th October, Columbus convinced he was in India but had actually on island off the coast of what is today called America
13. Named the island San Salvador, planted cross + Spanish flag on beach to show he was claiming the land for God + Spain
14. Called natives Indians bc was convinced he was in India
15. Spent next 3 months exploring area he called the ‘Indies’ (Caribbean) - discovered islands of Cuba + Hispaniola
16. Returned to Spain in triumph in March 1495, bringing goods such as pineapples, parrots + native ‘Indians’ with him to prove discoveries
17. Even on first journey, was puzzled as to why he hadn’t found any of great cities of Asia - returned to ‘the Indies’ 3 more times + discovered Jamaica + Trinidad
18. Clear he had discovered whole new continent, but refused to accept he hadn’t reached Asia
19. Many of Europeans who followed him were extremely cruel to natives, often committing acts of robbery, torture + murder
20. Columbus made Governor of newly discovered lands as promised, but was sent back to Spain in disgrace after being accused of cruelty to the natives
21. Acquitted, but died in 1506 bitter, disappointed + never having realised the extent of his achievements
22. Had discovered whole new continent for Europe - America, or the ‘New World’ as it was later called
23. His voyages also paved the way for Spain to develop an empire
24. This led to further explorations taking place, which would prove the earth was round

Question 2

A named religious reformer at the time of the Reformation

Answer 2

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

1. Born in Saxony, later joined Augustinian order of monks
2. Became teacher on theology at University of Wittenberg, but v. troubled bc believed was terrible sinner
3. Studied bible for way he could get into heaven, developed idea of ‘JBFA’ (person could only be saved by God if had faith)
4. Visited Rome in 1510 - shocked by bad lives of many churchmen (“Go to Rome + lose your faith!)
5. In 1517, Leo X issued indulgence for construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome - declared anyone who donated to collection would have sins forgiven
6. John Tetzel, Dominican friar, sent to Germany to sell this for Pope
7. Luther appalled, felt Church was taking advantage of fears + faith of uneducated poor
8. Further evidence of corruption revealed when emerged Archbishop of Mainz was to get half of proceeds in return for allowing sale in diocese
9. Luther wrote letter to Archbishop but was ignored, so wrote down 95 these against sale of indulgences + nailed to church door (normal)
10. Ideas spread all over Germany due to printing press, struck chord wth many who were sick of corruption in Church - Luther instructed to recant or face punishment
11. In 1519, debates ideas with Pope’s Rep - John Eck - refusal to recant won him more support
12. Pope sent P.B. (Exsurge Domine) Where he commanded Luther to recant/be excommunicated - Luther burned it, was then excommunicated
13. In April 1521, Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor (of Germany?)) called Luther to Diet at Worms, where all (around) 300 princes were fleeting to consider his ideas (some supported him, thought useful in struggle against Catholic emperor)
14. Here ordered to recant, refused, declared heretic + outlaw by Edict of Worms - rescued by Frederick of Saxony on way home, brought to castle at Wartburg + sheltered from enemies
15. Here translated bible into German, outlined beliefs (give 8)
16. Died in 1546, having protested against CC + introduced lasting reforms in doctrines + customs

Question 3

A Protestant During the Reformation

Answer 3

1. Born in Wittenberg in 1510, Martin Luther was local priest + baptised me into CC as baby
2. Parents supported Luther when argued with Leo X about sale of indulgences + nailed 95
3. Admired Frederick for protecting ML at castle when Diet of Worms declared him an outlaw
4. Protestant, think it’s brilliant I can read Bible in own vernacular language (without needing priest to explain God’s word to me)
5. Think some Protestants, like Presbyterians in Geneva, have taken it too far
6. Disagree with predestination, believe in ‘jbfa’
7. Means ordinary like me who truly believe in God + JC but don’t have money to give Church will be allowed into heaven

Question 4

A Settler Who Received Land in the Ulster Plantation

Answer 4

1. Came to Ireland in 1618 during Ulster Plantation
2. James fed up with all rebellions in Ireland, decided to offer loyal subjects like me land in Ulster after 9 Years War ended in 1607 (wanted to get rid of disloyal Catholics)
3. Different groups of settlers such as servitors, loyal native Irish + the London Craft Guilds (Londonderry)
4. I was undertaker, received estate of 2000 acres (kept small bc didn’t want hard to manage estates of Munster)
5. Born in Scottish Highlands, family have been Presbyterians since John Knox brought Calvinism to Scotland
6. Came to Ulster bc given land in Tyrone by king, had to build stone house + locate it near other planters for protection (from Tories)
7. Also built defensive stone enclosures called bawns + roads that connected our lands to fortified towns like Virginia, Enniskillen + Omagh
8. Undertakers have promised to only have English/Scottish tenants, but did have many Irish Catholic neighbours as needed them to work the land
9. Over 40,000 Scots settled in Ulster by 1640 - most hard-working, tough Presbyterians (had religious differences to English Anglican settlers)
10. Divided land into fields, grow wheat, oats + potatoes - soil in Ulster perfect for production of flax (raw material for linen), hope to produce lots of flax + export it to markets in Edinburgh + London

Question 5

A named leader in a revolution during the period 1771-1815

Answer 5

1. Born in Virginia in 1732, father died at 11 so went to live with older brother, Lawrence, trained to be surveyor as young man
2. Lawrence died in 1752, George inherited 8000 acre M.V. Plantation
3. Fought in French-Indian War, almost died (4 bullets, 2 horses)
4. Married Martha Dandridge in 1759 - widow who also owned large Plantation, made him one of largest landowners in Virginia + therefore one of most important men in colony
5. V. critical of London government, believed being subjected to unfair taxation - seen as patriot
6. Member of Virginia Assembly, attended 1st CC in 1774 in Philly as rep (to discuss recent events) (after being),
7. Also attended 2nd in 1775, was appointed head of newly formed Continental Army
8. Independence declared at 3rd CC on July 4 1776 - DOI by T.J.
9. As 13 colonies formed massive area of land, used Guerrilla ambush tactics against better armed + equipped redcoats
10. Defeated British in Boston in 1776, but beaten few months later in NY
11. British defeated them in Philly in Sept 1777 but cancelled out by Americans winning in Saratoga in Oct - led by G.H.G., great morale boost, talk of replacing Washington with him
12. In winter 1777-78, Washington took army to V.F. in rural Pennsylvania + with help of Prussian officer Frederick Von Steuben, trained army into powerful fighting force that could regularly defeat British
13. After Saratoga victory, French agreed to help + sent 6000 troops + Navy - fought British Navy, made it difficult + expensive for Britain to supply army in far away N.A.
14. Defeated British General Cornwallis in Yorktown on 19 October 1781, W.o.I. effectively over
15. Britain recognised independence after reps signed Treaty of Paris in 1783
16. Washington became first US President from 1789-97

Question 6

A farm labourer during the agricultural revolution

Answer 6

1. Huge number of changes in farming over last few years
2. Before agricultural revolution most lived in small villages, grew crops in scattered fields + reared animals on village common land
3. Lots of problems: all had narrow strips of land, sometimes from animals walked all over crops; all farm work had to be done by hand (slow)
4. When people began moving to new cities to work great changes in countryside
5. Government passed Enclosure Act - meant farmers built fences + ditches, all their land was in one large unit - allowed farmers to practice new techniques to improve quality + quality of crops/animals
6. Another change: crop rotation - began here, means soil is always kept enriched + doesn’t get worn out (plant different crop in each field each year, in one let clover grow bc good for soil)
   - called four field system, developed by Charles Townshend (three field system before, one fallow)
7. Another change: new machines invented to make farming easier, but means less need for farm labourers
8. E.g. seed drill, invented by Jethro Tull - grow more grain bc seeds properly covered by soil during planting
9. E.g. mechanical reaper - pulled by 2 horses, could do work that would take few men long time in few hours
10. All these have led to less need for labourers
11. Cheap food has also led to population explosion
12. Means many people have gone to cities for work in the huge textile factories
13. Luckily I can stay - heard conditions in towns are awful
14. Another big change: new, better breeds of animals brought to countryside bc of selective breeding (explain) - more meat, produce more milk

Question 7

A factory worker during the industrial revolution

Answer 7

1. V. overcrowded living conditions, some in poorly built terraced houses, some in one room in tenements
2. Slept on straw bc no furniture, houses cold + damp bc couldn’t afford food
3. No indoor toilets, outdoor shared by all, no sewers
4. Disease rampant, cholera + typhoid caused by dirty water, TB/consumption cause by cold + damp, lung problems bc of smog from coal pollution + textile workers breathing in little pieces of material all day
5. Lived close to starvation, diet of porridge, potatoes, cheese + bread; often stale/rotten
6. Working conditions awful, machines deafening, air warm + damp so threads moist
7. No concern for safety of workers, many lost limbs/lives working powerful machines, especially children as used for cleaning/unclogging machines due to size
8. Child labour v. common, exploited by bosses + got v. little education - often beaten by supervisor if not working
9. Women paid half of men, kids half of women
10. Long hours - often 12-15 hours (6am-9pm), only day off was Sunday, no holidays
11. Didn’t have much leisure time, many spent what little they had in pub drinking to block out misery of lives
12. Other leisure activities included cockfighting, bear baiting, bare knuckle boxing + gambling on these
13. Later workers got half-days on Saturdays, soccer became more popular

Question 8

A factory owner during the industrial revolution

Answer 8

1. Name, own large textile factory in Bolton, Lancashire
2. First factory was in countryside as needed water power from nearby rivers, new factory uses steam power so need lots of coal + supply of water
3. Many have moved to cities from country bc of Agricultural revolution, more food + machines
4. Employ over 500, most women + kids but few men as overseers/engineers - look after huge machines that produce large amounts of cotton cloth daily
5. Import raw cotton from India, cloth then exported all over Empire
6. Over past 20 years, Parliament has passed many new laws called the Factory Acts
7. Now women workers can only work 10 hours daily, can’t employ anyone under 9 - don’t like, less profit
8. Most of workers live in small cottages or tenements near the factory to ensure they’re on time for work (6am - pay rent to me
9. Used to be many problems with living conditions of workers - many complained of diseases, but improvements have taken place
10. Health boards created all over big towns + cities to ensure streets cleaned, ensure water piped into homes + sewers built
11. Also improvements in medicines, have further improved lives of workers
12. Know of Robert Owen + all he’s done for his workers in Scotland - inspired many of changes that have now happened
13. He’s also an advocate for educating the poor, especially children, but I disagree with this - could lead to them getting ideas that may cause trouble for factory owners like me
14. I live in country rather than city, kids go to public school at Eton
    - generally describe factories + living conditions if stuck for more