Category: Christopher Columbus

An Italian by birth, Columbus was born in 1435 and was originally from Genoa. His father, Dominic Columbus, was a craftsman: he had a small workshop. This craft gave the Columbus family full security in their livelihoods, and Dominic Columbus was considered a wealthy man. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the factors that have drawn the Europeans to the exploration of the New World.

In the Middle Ages, the cities of Italy, thanks to the development of trade and industry, made up the wealthiest part of Europe. Wealth gave them the means to be independent of the feudal system representatives. In the interests of trade, and then of political view, the Venetians captured many islands and coastal points in the Mediterranean Sea. The Spaniards, the Portuguese and later the Dutch, paving the way for the world trade, became powerful rivals.

Thus, Columbuss conviction that land should lie beyond the Atlantic Ocean turned out to be fair. Researchers note that on the morning of October 12, 1492, the team anchored off the coast. It was easy to see that it was a small island, but its nature was so new and productive for Europeans that this piece of land made the most significant impression on travelers. However, at first, the relations between the aborigines and travelers were friendly, but this was mainly due to the influence of Columbus. He strictly forbade the Spaniards any attempt on the property of the aborigines and outrage over them. The Spaniards, who wanted to get rich at the expense of the aborigines, were very dissatisfied with this order, and the fear of punishment only constrained them. Thus, the factors that influenced the conquest and settlement of the New World were greed, thirst for war, and the acquisition of new subservient territories.

Work Cited

King, Stephen D. Grave New World: The End of Globalization, the Return of History. Yale University Press, 2018.

Though the foray into the South and North American territories that Christopher Columbus journey initiated was undeniably controversial from the perspective of its implications, the significance of Columbus efforts is undeniable. Therefore, examining the literary value of Columbus Letter of Discovery detailing the key facts about his actions represents an important step in revisiting his contribution to American history. Since the identification and listing of the essential facts was Columbus core goal, the selected approach to writing the letter, while being rife with emotional expressivity, appears to be quite suitable.

In addition to extensive details about the journey itself, the letter also contains a number of suppositions and assumptions regarding America. Specifically, Columbus evidently expected that he would encounter people of other races, which he perceived as inferior, defining them as monsters (Columbus). While describing other populations as affectionate and kind, he also dehumanized them, suggesting that the specified characteristics made them less complex than European voyagers (Columbus). Therefore, Columbus choice of words reflects his biases toward Native residents of America, particularly, his expectations of them to be uncivilized and lacking the basic elements of humanity.

The extensive description of the journey along with the highly detailed depiction of people inhabiting America, the environment, and the related issues, can be seen as the primary advantage and strength of the letter. Columbus provides nuanced portrayals of the Native American environment, offering rather accurate representations of people living on the American continent and their setting. For instance, Columbus mentions the manner in which Native residents of America approached building their boats: In each island are many boats made of solid wood (Columbus). The specified details allow crating a mental image of a thriving community and help build an image of robust culture with multiple components. As a result, the Native residents of America become relatable and quite complex, which could be seen as a rather unpredictable outcome that the author of the manuscript did not intend to pursue.

However, the letter also has several major flaws, the greatest one being the extent of prejudice demonstrated by the author. Even though the detailed descriptions that Columbus provides compensate for the presence of multiple biases that he has for Native residents, the presence of a prejudiced attitude is still undeniable: nor are they black like the Ethiopians; but they have long, straight hair (Columbus). As a result, Columbus introduces a significant range of subjective points of view in his letter, which skew the perception of Native residents and their culture. Therefore, the overall weakness of the work is quite strong.

Finally, the delivery that Columbus uses in his letter contributes to the mixed impression. On the one hand, the bland and dry description of key facts serves a direct purpose in the letter as the means of delivering essential information to the Spanish king. On the other hand, the specified approach toward portraying an entirely new and fascinating world limits the overall impression, leaving the reader underwhelmed. Thus, the Letter of Discovery by Christopher Columbus leaves a rather mixed impression, much like his character.

Though the approach to writing his letter allowed Columbus to address the emotional aspects of his experience of the overall journey, the letter features a rather dry and detail-heavy writing style, which matches his goals of providing a summary statement and, therefore, represents an example of perfect writing. The letter contains essential information that allows its target audience to examine the impact that Columbus journey produced, which makes it a remarkable part of history.

Work Cited

Columbus, Christopher. The Letter of Discovery. Pressbook.pub, n.d., Web.

Inhabitants of ancient and medieval Europe had no idea that there was a landmass between Europe and the Atlantic Ocean. Even progressive minds like those of Christopher Columbus did not have any inkling that if explorers travels from Europe to Asia using a westward route, they would eventually stumble upon the New World. Thus, the New World was discovered in the most serendipitous manner.

In the latter part of the 15^th century Christopher Columbus was compelled to use a westward route that would connect Europe and Asia. In the process of exploration, Columbus discovered Native Americans. He concluded that they were barbarians, in the same way that sophisticated Romans and Greeks judged the European tribes in their own process of exploration and conquest.

Background

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in the year 1451. The soon-to-be great sailor was the son of a weaver and a merchant. Columbus personal background as well as the place where he grew up gave him the opportunity to travel in different places on merchant ships. His early experience gave him the opportunity to study the ways of sailors as they navigate their ships through treacherous seas.

At the same time, Columbus had the chance to learn the necessary skills that he would need later on to cross the Atlantic Ocean (McGovern 25). Aside from his love of the sailors life and his penchant for adventure, another powerful force that compelled him to travel was the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Columbus entrepreneurial family initiated him into the world of seafaring, however it was the expansion of the Turkish Empire that fired up his imagination with regards to testing the claim that the earth is round because there is another way to travel from Europe to Asia.

As the Turkish Empire consolidated its strength, European leaders were fearful that they would have no more access to Asia. Business would suffer and the pilgrimage of Christians to the Holy Land would be in peril. There has to be an alternative way towards the other side of the world.

The Perspective of Columbus

There are two primary sources of information that could be utilized to understand Christopher Columbus worldview. First, there were eyewitness accounts of Columbus leadership and exploits preserved through the writings of his chroniclers. The second source is the journals that Columbus left behind. The great explorer wanted to preserve in writing his thoughts, feelings, and testimony with regards to his encounter with the local inhabitants of the new world.

It is important to figure out Columbus perspective because the way he perceived the New World and its native inhabitants shaped the way Europeans view the same. The demeanor of future explorers and conquerors towards native inhabitants were also significantly affected by how Columbus described his contact with the native inhabitants of the American continent.

As a consequence of Columbus actions, as well as the European conquistadors who came after him, there were various interpretations as to the native inhabitants way of life. There were historians who provided a more accurate description of the norms, traditions, culture of the native inhabitants. However, there were also historians who interpreted the natives way of life through the words through the narrow context of their own culture, shaped by the words of early explorers like Columbus.

There were some occasions when Columbus was impressed by the behavior of the natives. On many instances Columbus praised the behavior of the native inhabitants especially with regards to their hospitality and guilelessness (Ochoa & Smith 22). In his journals, Columbus described a people that were gentle, kind, and generous (Sale 25).

The great explorer wrote, They are an inoffensive, unwarlike people, naked, except that the women wear a very slight covering at the loins; their manners are very decent, and their complexion not very dark, but lighter than that of the inhabitants of the Canary Islands (Columbus 114). Therefore, Columbus believed that there is a child-like innocence among the natives.

Columbus also pointed out the fact that there are other intriguing qualities that were manifested in his interactions with the natives. Columbus recorded in his journal that that the natives were ready to barter all that they have for a very low price. In one example, Columbus highlighted the fact that a large basket of cotton was exchanged for a mere leather thong (Columbus 114).

Columbus also testified that the natives were inoffensive and that they are not warlike (Columbus 114). In his journal he wrote, Of anything they have, if you ask the for it, they never say no; rather they invite the person to share it, and show as much love as if they were giving their hearts (Ochoa & Smith, p.22).

Columbus was compelled to make a bold claim and he said that he believed he could convert the natives not through the use of arms but through love (Ochoa & Smith, p.22). It could be argued that Columbus wanted the natives to experience the wonderful blessings of being under the Christian faith. However, his deep-rooted Eurocentric view made his look at the natives with a condescending attitude.

In other words, Columbus believed that Europeans were superior to the native inhabitants of the New World. Columbus Eurocentric view was similar to the prideful disdain of the Roman Empire for people groups who are located outside the realm of Rome. The Romans call these tribes as barbarians or unsophisticated in their manners and knowledge about the known world.

No matter how hard Columbus tried to paint the native inhabitants in a positive light, he cannot help but express his true feelings about them, because he saw them as an uncivilized people. Columbus low estimation of the natives led to genocide because Europeans conquerors were justified in the destruction of people groups and culture based on their belief that their hopes and aspirations were greater than those of the people in the New World.

If one will study the history of the European discovery of the New World, hindsight compels historians to find a much better explanation compared to the Eurocentric view of the Europeans. Columbus cannot think highly of the native inhabitants because he was not there simply to convert them to another form of religion.

His secondary purpose was to enrich the kingdom of Spain through the conquest of new lands and the discovery of gold reserves. The desire for wealth and fame significantly affected the way Europeans view the native population.

A Better View

The condescending attitude of Christopher Columbus led to the exploitation of the native population and genocide. There is a need to evaluate the way students and historians interpret the events that surround the discovery of present day America. One way to accomplish it is through the study of primary documents. One effect is the deeper appreciation of the native inhabitants culture and traditions.

Columbus personal biases affected the way he wrote his journal. As a result his writings could not hide the way he looked down on these inhabitants as a lesser people group compared to the Europeans. However, Columbus was blind to the rich culture of the native inhabitants.

He was blind to the beauty and riches of the native inhabitants cultural heritage. As a result Columbus interpreted their language as uncivilized when it was as rich and diversified as the different languages of Europe. As a result, Columbus experienced minimal success when it comes to the Christianization of the New World.

Conclusion

Columbus was highly influenced by the Eurocentric view that Europeans are more knowledgeable; more sophisticated; and have the desire to transform barbaric tribes and turn them into a civilized world. The condescending attitude of Christopher Columbus led to the destruction of people groups as well as the exploitation of the native inhabitants.

There is a need to reconsider the view adopted by Columbus, especially after the aftermath of the European invasion of the New World. One way to change the perspective of those who adopted a similar view is to study primary documents. The use of primary documents enables the student of history to see the events through the perspective of eyewitnesss accounts.

The eyewitnesss accounts show the natives way of life before European historians interpreted the native inhabitants behavior based on their own narrow cultural context. A deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the natives could have prevented the exploitation and bloodbath that followed.

Works Cited

Columbus, Christopher. Personal Narratives of the First Voyage of Columbus to America. MA: Harvard University Press, 2006. Print.

McGovern, James. The World of Columbus. GA: Mercer University Press, 1992.

Ochoa, George and Carter Smith. Atlas of Hispanic-American History. New York: Infobase, Inc., 2009. Print.

Sale, Kirkpatrick. Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise. New York: I.B. Tauris and Co., 2006. Print.

Inhabitants of ancient and medieval Europe had no idea that there was a landmass between Europe and the Atlantic Ocean. Even progressive minds like those of Christopher Columbus did not have any inkling that if explorers travels from Europe to Asia using a westward route, they would eventually stumble upon the New World. Thus, the New World was discovered in the most serendipitous manner.

In the latter part of the 15^th century Christopher Columbus was compelled to use a westward route that would connect Europe and Asia. In the process of exploration, Columbus discovered Native Americans. He concluded that they were barbarians, in the same way that sophisticated Romans and Greeks judged the European tribes in their own process of exploration and conquest.

Background

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in the year 1451. The soon-to-be great sailor was the son of a weaver and a merchant. Columbus personal background as well as the place where he grew up gave him the opportunity to travel in different places on merchant ships. His early experience gave him the opportunity to study the ways of sailors as they navigate their ships through treacherous seas.

At the same time, Columbus had the chance to learn the necessary skills that he would need later on to cross the Atlantic Ocean (McGovern 25). Aside from his love of the sailors life and his penchant for adventure, another powerful force that compelled him to travel was the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Columbus entrepreneurial family initiated him into the world of seafaring, however it was the expansion of the Turkish Empire that fired up his imagination with regards to testing the claim that the earth is round because there is another way to travel from Europe to Asia.

As the Turkish Empire consolidated its strength, European leaders were fearful that they would have no more access to Asia. Business would suffer and the pilgrimage of Christians to the Holy Land would be in peril. There has to be an alternative way towards the other side of the world.

The Perspective of Columbus

There are two primary sources of information that could be utilized to understand Christopher Columbus worldview. First, there were eyewitness accounts of Columbus leadership and exploits preserved through the writings of his chroniclers. The second source is the journals that Columbus left behind. The great explorer wanted to preserve in writing his thoughts, feelings, and testimony with regards to his encounter with the local inhabitants of the new world.

It is important to figure out Columbus perspective because the way he perceived the New World and its native inhabitants shaped the way Europeans view the same. The demeanor of future explorers and conquerors towards native inhabitants were also significantly affected by how Columbus described his contact with the native inhabitants of the American continent.

As a consequence of Columbus actions, as well as the European conquistadors who came after him, there were various interpretations as to the native inhabitants way of life. There were historians who provided a more accurate description of the norms, traditions, culture of the native inhabitants. However, there were also historians who interpreted the natives way of life through the words through the narrow context of their own culture, shaped by the words of early explorers like Columbus.

There were some occasions when Columbus was impressed by the behavior of the natives. On many instances Columbus praised the behavior of the native inhabitants especially with regards to their hospitality and guilelessness (Ochoa & Smith 22). In his journals, Columbus described a people that were gentle, kind, and generous (Sale 25).

The great explorer wrote, They are an inoffensive, unwarlike people, naked, except that the women wear a very slight covering at the loins; their manners are very decent, and their complexion not very dark, but lighter than that of the inhabitants of the Canary Islands (Columbus 114). Therefore, Columbus believed that there is a child-like innocence among the natives.

Columbus also pointed out the fact that there are other intriguing qualities that were manifested in his interactions with the natives. Columbus recorded in his journal that that the natives were ready to barter all that they have for a very low price. In one example, Columbus highlighted the fact that a large basket of cotton was exchanged for a mere leather thong (Columbus 114).

Columbus also testified that the natives were inoffensive and that they are not warlike (Columbus 114). In his journal he wrote, Of anything they have, if you ask the for it, they never say no; rather they invite the person to share it, and show as much love as if they were giving their hearts (Ochoa & Smith, p.22).

Columbus was compelled to make a bold claim and he said that he believed he could convert the natives not through the use of arms but through love (Ochoa & Smith, p.22). It could be argued that Columbus wanted the natives to experience the wonderful blessings of being under the Christian faith. However, his deep-rooted Eurocentric view made his look at the natives with a condescending attitude.

In other words, Columbus believed that Europeans were superior to the native inhabitants of the New World. Columbus Eurocentric view was similar to the prideful disdain of the Roman Empire for people groups who are located outside the realm of Rome. The Romans call these tribes as barbarians or unsophisticated in their manners and knowledge about the known world.

No matter how hard Columbus tried to paint the native inhabitants in a positive light, he cannot help but express his true feelings about them, because he saw them as an uncivilized people. Columbus low estimation of the natives led to genocide because Europeans conquerors were justified in the destruction of people groups and culture based on their belief that their hopes and aspirations were greater than those of the people in the New World.

If one will study the history of the European discovery of the New World, hindsight compels historians to find a much better explanation compared to the Eurocentric view of the Europeans. Columbus cannot think highly of the native inhabitants because he was not there simply to convert them to another form of religion.

His secondary purpose was to enrich the kingdom of Spain through the conquest of new lands and the discovery of gold reserves. The desire for wealth and fame significantly affected the way Europeans view the native population.

A Better View

The condescending attitude of Christopher Columbus led to the exploitation of the native population and genocide. There is a need to evaluate the way students and historians interpret the events that surround the discovery of present day America. One way to accomplish it is through the study of primary documents. One effect is the deeper appreciation of the native inhabitants culture and traditions.

Columbus personal biases affected the way he wrote his journal. As a result his writings could not hide the way he looked down on these inhabitants as a lesser people group compared to the Europeans. However, Columbus was blind to the rich culture of the native inhabitants.

He was blind to the beauty and riches of the native inhabitants cultural heritage. As a result Columbus interpreted their language as uncivilized when it was as rich and diversified as the different languages of Europe. As a result, Columbus experienced minimal success when it comes to the Christianization of the New World.

Conclusion

Columbus was highly influenced by the Eurocentric view that Europeans are more knowledgeable; more sophisticated; and have the desire to transform barbaric tribes and turn them into a civilized world. The condescending attitude of Christopher Columbus led to the destruction of people groups as well as the exploitation of the native inhabitants.

There is a need to reconsider the view adopted by Columbus, especially after the aftermath of the European invasion of the New World. One way to change the perspective of those who adopted a similar view is to study primary documents. The use of primary documents enables the student of history to see the events through the perspective of eyewitnesss accounts.

The eyewitnesss accounts show the natives way of life before European historians interpreted the native inhabitants behavior based on their own narrow cultural context. A deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the natives could have prevented the exploitation and bloodbath that followed.

Works Cited

Columbus, Christopher. Personal Narratives of the First Voyage of Columbus to America. MA: Harvard University Press, 2006. Print.

McGovern, James. The World of Columbus. GA: Mercer University Press, 1992.

Ochoa, George and Carter Smith. Atlas of Hispanic-American History. New York: Infobase, Inc., 2009. Print.

Sale, Kirkpatrick. Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise. New York: I.B. Tauris and Co., 2006. Print.

The discovery of America refers to the era of Great Discoveries. In the fifteenth century, the first expedition of Columbus reached the lands of a new continent. Europeans began the adaptation of new lands. Zinn and Stannard in their works expose that the new settlement was attended by gross interference into the peaceful life of the indigenous population, provoking war and leading to the indigenes total extermination. The goal of this work is to divulge the fatal role of Columbus discovery in the Arawaks and Aztecs history.

When America was discovered, Europe experienced a time of considerable economic changes. The merchants came into conflict with feudal rulers. They searched for new territories to establish authority and use them as sources of raw materials and cheap labor. The period of Great Discoveries was caused by the need for new sources of metals, especially gold. When Columbus reached the continent of America, it was already populated by Indian tribes. The establishment of the new arrangement in the lands led to resistance of indigenes. When he landed the Bahamas Island, Columbus, and his men, greeted by peaceful and generous natives, set out on a ruthless quest for gold that led to enslavement, misery, and death of that population (Zinn, 29). The territories of Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico were settled by the Arawaks and Aztecs. These peoples were peaceful and well-organized. They had their tribal government, industry, and cultural principles. Europeans interfered in their peaceful life, enslaving strong men and women and moving the others to the so-called reservations. The vacant territories were settled by Europeans. Stannard comments on this fact, The white settlers were part of the governments plan to drive the Indians off their land (Stannard, 122). The reason for the expansionist policy of Spain was rich deposits of gold and silver. When the tribes were plundered, Europeans captured for slave labor to extract precious and nonferrous metals. The first discovering of gold was made by Columbus. It was depicted by Zinn, Seeing the natives he encountered, the peaceful Arawak Indians, as less than human (though in his diary he described them as gentle and generous), he tortured them to force them to find gold for him (Zinn, 29). The European economy was greatly increased with the expansion of new lands. But for the native population, it was a disaster, leading their civilizations to disappearance. By the 1560s and 1570s European militiamen were traveling throughout the southeast, spreading disease and bloody massacre everywhere they went (Stannard, 102).

The works under study are not only the only sources of information about the Arawaks and Aztecs, but their significance is in their documental description of the negative influence of European expansion. An Indian war usually was a response to personal insults or individual acts of inter-tribal violence, states Stannard (Stannard, 110). It is the witness of the cruel and illegal actions against those peoples who had the full authority to occupy their native land and rule their communities in their proper way. No one can judge cultural superiority if its spreading accounts for death and destruction.

Works Cited

Stannard, David. American Holocaust: The Conquest of the New World. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.

Zinn, Howard and Anthony Arnove. Voices of a peoples history of the United States. New York: Seven Stories Press, 2009.

Outline

Critics argue that Christopher Columbus was an imperialistic. Supporters of Columbus argue that he was only a discoverer. This research essay takes into the various views of learned authors and comes to a conclusion that whether Columbus is an imperialistic or a discoverer.

Introduction

According to Lenin, Imperialism can be defined as the policy of extending economic and political control over other provinces, particularly by acquiring colonies or controlling a weak nation by a mighty one. Imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism. Imperialism is a system which controls an empire, under which one nation will become subordinate to another. The great discovery voyages undertaken by Da Gama, Columbus, Diaz de Novaes and Magellan also can be described paved the way to colonization, a European based governmental structure in a foreign country and imperialism. Does imperialism necessarily imply exploitation and subjugation? In this essay, I am going to analyze that whether Columbus expedition or voyages can be explained as imperialistic approach or to discover new nations and places. (Lello 66).

Analysis

Imperialist tales promote and celebrate the idea of an empire and are especially evident in European travel literatures and writings during the period of European mercantile colonization and expansion from about 1500 to 1940. In this epoch of discovery and exploration, voyage descriptions expose imperialistic ambition and tone. Portugal and Spain led the way in the Far East and in the Americas.

The travel narratives of Christopher Columbus were given in the Letter and Journal of Columbus. The Letter by Columbus was addressed to his mentors namely Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, is not just a narrative but a blending of propaganda and official record. It is to be recalled that Columbuss communications cannot be regarded as private communications but mainly meant to disseminate the European public who was eager to know about the news of discoveries by Columbus. If one read the journals of Columbus, one can understand the imperialist tone is quite obvious and is widely prevalent in it.

No sooner, immediately landing in America on 12 November, it is obvious that Columbuss voyage was more concerned with the exploitation and subjugation for the glory of Spain and Christian church.

Columbuss journal was published only in the year 1825, hence the imperialistic impact of his voyage was not known to the world until then. The writings of Amerigo Vespucci were probably more influential in their time as it disseminated the initiative of finding a new world and advancing a scurry for colonization of America. According to narratives by Bartoleme de Las Casas, Spanish (Columbus) voyage was meant for conquest of Latin America and the annihilation of Indian people, (Speake 571).

Ponce De Leon, Juan (1474-1521) was a Spanish explorer, conquistador and governor. He was born in Spanish royal family and fought on behalf of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Ponce de Leons first major expedition was his voyage in 1493 with Columbus to the West Indies as he was one among the 200 volunteers in seventeen ships. Douglas T.Peck notes that Columbus ranged over the length and breadth of the Islands of the Antilles in this journey and at one point, grounded in Afiasco Bay on the Western sea shores of Puerto Rico. Peck was of the opinion that Ponce de Leons captured the beautifulness of Afiasco Bay during his journey with Columbus might have instigated him to select the place as his capital later when he captured Puerto Rico and became its governor. (Speake 973).

Columbus personal aims for carrying out his voyages in 1493, 1498 and 1502 were confused and complex in nature. He continued to insist until his expiry in 1506 that new lands had meant a lot of financial and economic benefits, which accrued from their discovery. In a long letter which was written on 3 July 1503 to Spanish sovereigns, he recaptured about the riches available in Indies. Thus Spanish imperialist expansion in the New World can be explained mainly for the craving to spread Christianity and search for material wealth. (Fisher 15).

However, some commentaries argue that Columbus did not have an imperialist intention and his sole aim to find out a trade route to India for carrying out trade and to amaze wealth.

However, according to Sale Kirkpatrick, Columbus discovered six islands during his first expedition and when he landed over it, he progressed to take ownership of the same in the name of Spain. During his expedition, he christened new names to about sixty two islands, and he also enslaved the native Indians. As per Sale, though Columbus already knew the original names of these islands, he still continued to rename these islands according to his fashion.

On 15 October, Columbus went to the extent of saying that it was my intention to bypass no island without taking ownership of the same and after 30 days, he pronounced that in all the islands, I put forever a cross standing

According to Sale, since Native Americans were illiterate, no knowledge about dressing or use of arms, these factors facilitated Columbus to enslave them easily. Thus, Columbus could conquer the Caribbean Islands single handedly in the name of his country namely Spain. (Sale 325).

Columbus can be recognized as the one who initiated the concept of imperialism for the first time, and he has come to symbolize a huge legacy of destruction and suffering. Columbus names that legacy than anybody else. The concept of imperialism and colonialism can be explained as decisive ones, which are employed across an array of disciplines often with meanings, which are taken for granted. We can say that European imperialism was initiated in the fifteenth century which has the following ingredients.1. Imperialism as subjugating others 2) Imperialism as economic expansion 3) Imperialism as a notion or spirit with many kinds of realization and 4) Imperialism as an excursive field of knowledge. It is to be noted that economic expansion might account for why individual like Columbus were aided, funded to discover and explore new sources of wealth, and they do not account for devastating effect on the indigenous people whose lands and rights were invaded. Imperialism can be described in another style in which Natives have resisted to restore their lands, histories, languages, customs and fundamental dignity.

According to Robert Royal, Columbus was not influenced with the imperialistic idea as he liked the innocence of Native Americans. Mackenzie explains imperialism as being of more than a set of political, economic and military concept. It includes also a complex ideology which had widespread intellectual, cultural and technical expressions. This concept of imperialism places it within the Enlightenment spirit which indicated the transformation of political, economic and cultural life of Native Americans. Thus, Columbus can be said to be the first person who had paved the way for destruction of Native Americans or indigenous peoples political, economic and cultural activities, and hence we can very well define him as an imperialist. (Smith 22).

Conclusion

As we have seen above, there are contradicting views that Columbus is being characterized as an imperialist and also as a non-imperialist and only a discoverer. According to me, Columbus is an imperialist due to the following reasons.

If one read the journals of Columbus, one can understand the imperialist tone is quite obvious. According to narratives by Bartoleme de Las Casas, Spanish (Columbus) voyage was meant for conquest of Latin America and the annihilation of Indian people. Further, Peck was of the opinion that Ponce de Leons captured the beautifulness of Afiasco Bay during his journey with Columbus might have instigated him to select the place as his capital later when he captured Puerto Rico and became its governor. According to Sale, Columbus could conquer the Caribbean Islands single handedly in the name of his country namely Spain. Columbuss imperialism can be described in another style in which Natives have resisted to restore their lands, histories, languages, customs and fundamental dignity. Thus, Columbus can be said to be first ever person in the history who have paved the way for destruction of Native Americans or indigenous peoples political, economic and cultural activities, and hence we can very well define him as an imperialist.

Works Cited

Lello, John. The Resourceful History Teacher. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2001.

Fisher, John Robert. The Economic Aspects of Spanish Imperialism in America. 1492-1810. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 1997.

Foner, Eric.  Give Me Liberty! An American History. New York: W.W.Norton & Company, 2008.

Sale, Kirkpatrick. Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise. New York: Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2006.

Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. New York: Zed Books, 1999.

Speake, Jennifer. Literature of Travel and Exploration: G TO P. New York: Taylor & Francis, 2003.

Who controls the past controls the future. And who controls the present controls the past.

By the above quote, it is meant that Orwell claims those historians to be in power who govern our society. Only such historians who lead the society through their deeds or words are in a position to make necessary amendments in the past as well as they possess the authority to prevail in our future. By necessary amendments I do not mean historical incidences but those viewpoints that are never mentioned. An example is what Zinn has mentioned in his book Columbus and Western Civilization on page 90 that such authors who dominate our society ignore those people who they never wanted to attain and relate to any historical significance like black slaves, immigrants, working women, and so on (Zinn, 1997, p. 90). Zinn explains this notion while referring to his knowledge about Columbus and creates a bridge between American history and ideology to explain Orwells claim in detail and declares that it is only the viewpoint that matters to the historian.

This is what Columbus thought of Indians and therefore today we find no historical memoirs of Indians, but only we can find traces of their leftovers if we realize Columbuss journey to the Bahamas. However what Columbus has paid tribute to and mentioned admiring in his journal is the Native Americans, to which he further declares as honest and liberals. That elucidates to a common man what Columbus has claimed Native Americans, only deserve to survive in American historical pages, the rest is all waste. Historians like Samuel Eliot Morison and Harvard writes in Columbus biography in a way which one finds easier to criticize than how Columbus was held responsible for the depopulation in 1942. Despite a huge number of killings of the original natives, Columbus remained unable to find enough gold to send his home to inspire Spanish King and Queen; therefore he continued his voyage by taking slaves with him, which later, historians have remained unable to cover brutal acts.

Abduction or Discovery

It is obvious that Columbus ruled our past; if he had not then the historians of the quincentenary had not been found sympathizing with the indigenous peoples of the past who had suffered. Columbus followers would have been hard put to find words to express the understandable hatred felt for the Mexicans and Indians. The main reason for their reluctance, however, is because the interest of these writers in the events of 1492 derives only in small part from any real sympathy they might have for the natives and far more from their fervor to adopt a politically correct stance against their own society. Zinn writes that the way we teach our younger generations the lessons of plurality and diversity does not go along with the pride of our free society. Therefore our generations only see one side of the facts related to Columbus, the other side they never see since they never have been taught. It is important to understand the difference between taking hold off and discovery and unfortunately we have remained unable to teach our children this difference because our leaders have omitted the difference from our minds and have always presented one dominating standpoint.

Columbus attempted to restore order in a way most ugly. In most of the wars, he utterly ignored acts of generosity thereby deceiving Europeans, Indians, and Mexicans who had repeatedly rendered to keep him and his men alive. Columbus not only turned on his hosts and sent troops out to hunt them down with superior weapons and war dogs, but in no time, Columbus selected the best specimens of men and women to be herded vessels and locked in below decks for shipment to the slave market. Of course this way Columbus ruled the week and shattered and allowed any Christian could take as many as he wanted.

Controversies of the Natives

Even if we think about telling the truth of discovery to children, it would falsify the facts that historians have claimed. For this reason, Orwells claim is true. Zinn mentions this issue while acknowledging the extent to which children are exposed to history that even Columbia Encyclopedia mentions about his discoveries thereby paying attribute to Columbus in 1000 words but not a single word on atrocities committed by him. History has been changed to the extent where crimes by Columbus and his men are regarded as controversies of the native people. Zinn writes Carnages by Columbus which include enslavement, forced labor, rape, murder, diseases carried from Europe and the wiping of huge numbers of native people are named as contradictory disputes, which to this day are rarely acknowledged by writers and scholars (Zinn, 1997, p. 486).

History has been altered, modified, and reshaped by such people who came to control not only the past, present, and future of the generations but in such a manner that made them think they have bought history for some bucks of ink. Chauncey DePew according to Zinn, witnessed Columbuss self-celebration at the time when the working poor class of America felt it hard to survive. In their huddled slums, children were sick and malnutrition when Columbus was involved in celebrating his success.

Patriotism or unpatriotic

Columbus was patriotic because patriotism to him was conquest, expansion, and victory of America. The trend goes on and only after six years, Spain was expelled from Cuba thereby undertaking Puerto Rico and Hawaii, thus a new era of war began to which today we salute Columbus for shouldering the war trend. This so-called patriotism escorted us to the Second World War and was reinforced by the United States as the superpower and to which 1988 was declared as American Century. Columbuss celebrations to this day are considered patriotic for they showed a new dark era to the United States in which she learned one thing War, destruction, and celebration.

Slavery and Racial segregation

The forced migration of Africans shouldered by Columbus is still to this day has created the unending marks of slavery and racism in the American society. The concern is never signified to how this forced migration became one of the great crimes against humanity in world history, that today its hazards have made Africans, as well as Europeans, participate in its rewards. The Columbus expeditions marked the transition from savagery to civilization for which the United States continued the footsteps by capturing through unethical means the Indians land and property, slaughtering them, destroying the sources of food, and escorting them towards a destructive society. This way Columbus teaches the new generation how to be civilized and his footsteps are still followed by the American political leaders whenever there is a concern for bringing in civilization to the country.

What we have learned from Columbus expeditions is the notion that how characteristics of color, stature, and speech mark off and distinguishes one people from another. This, of course, is neither an argument for nor a justification of, any feeling of superiority on the part of any race. That certain misinformed people have relied upon their peculiar racial characteristics in asserting an alleged superiority over another race is unfortunate. A common notion is that only by education can this unwarranted assumption be dispelled but how adverse is the concept that our leaders presented to us that despite educating our generations we have remained unable to turn their minds to accept some bitter truths.

Truths about our past leaders, those who have purchased the pages of history and have ruled through our past and present. The animosity arising from this misinformation and want of education can be observed, not only in Detroit but wherever different races are thrown together. Of present concern to this committee, however, is the increasing tendency among certain hoodlum elements in Detroit, both white and Negro, openly to flaunt established social order in combating this animosity. Certainly, no criticism is to be made of the honest efforts of responsible leaders, both Negro and white, who seek by lawful means the removal of unjust barriers between the races. But it is equally certain that vigorous criticism should be directed to those irresponsible leaders, who by their words and conduct, actively inspire among their followers a disregard for the law, order, and judicial process, in seeking the racial equality to which they are entitled.

The relationship suggested by Zinn between ideology and history provides a comprehensive account of how the dominant leaders have ruled throughout generations. It is said that behind the success of Columbus were Jews who helped him in many ways. The rejection of ideology seems particularly bizarre in a nation whose political culture, from its very beginnings, has been suffered from historical influences and symbols. Our ideology is built by observing such patriotic dominant leaders who were more or fewer snatchers. Most Americans believe that such leaders have a hand in rescuing their nation, and consider those whose history and destiny have been uniquely shaped and enhanced by American heroes. They are unaware of the other end of the story. They are unaware because such leaders have brainwashed our ideology for not seeking the truth. The truth escorts us towards leaders like Columbus who are responsible for the mass destruction of humanity. Heroes like Christopher Columbus that only taught us to ruin and betray other nations, who left ideal footsteps for our patriotic politicians who only concern about imposing sanctuaries for a common man, model of democracy, and so-called God-given human rights and benevolence to the worlds suffering peoples.

Any ideology or public theology that fails to deal with this paradoxical and materialistic complex is bound to be captive to the interests of the rich and insensitive to the suffering of the poor. This is what we have learned throughout decades, that to rule the poor or to deprive him of his rights. The imperative of ideological reconstruction derives especially from this concept that the United States of America is the richest country in the world, with the richest personalities in the world, at a time when the great gulf between the rich and the poor, in both America and the world-at-large, and since America discovery, this region is supposed to expand catastrophically, whether by hook or by crook. All the human flesh-and-blood facts that neither the present rhetoric of American politics nor the present priorities of the American government seem prepared to recognize are behind the great discoveries.

Loopholes exist since the fundamentalism was nurtured in the early decades of American identity a sociological orientation that would persist through all the generations of industrialization and urbanization and continue to shape majoritarian attitudes even when the poverty shrank to a single-digit minority. Although the protocols have been many times effectually exploded, what they contain and the manner of their production shed much light upon the character of Columbuss agitation to the extent he used reference for Christians in demand. The Christians have not merely been attacked because they were Christians but sometimes they have been assailed in order to promote some political or social purpose, which did not primarily concern them. The Christian racist factor as confessed by the mythical historians, in effect cherished the purpose of producing revolution, overturning government, destroying Indians and Mexican culture and civilization, and in general of propagating the diseases of which all the world is now so mortally sick and, in some inscrutable fashion, out of it all, to secure the dominion of the world for their own religion. This way Columbus presented before us a light of hope to rule the world.

This is surely a very ambitious program thus to be formally acknowledged by these historians and so obligingly delivered over to the enemies of the religious groups, with the result of fomenting agitation against the race. We are taught to believe that the Christians now inhabiting the earth seek to sacrifice themselves and subordinate their own interests entirely to the interests of the Christians of the future, whose power and glory they are thus attempting to secure.

Today historians mention the forced displacement that was initiated by Columbus and which deprived Africans of their native land, this is still marked as a wound of cultural prominence in the African and African American racial memory. How could we stop our generations from not seeing their founders as those brutal personalities that brought middle passages all the massacre voyages from Africa to the Americas in the belly of slave ships and lays bare the intricate mechanisms that facilitate not only the ruptures of a spiritual and cultural wholeness but also the formation of a linguistic system of suffering framed in the borderlands of the scar? It has only made us familiarize ourselves with a new era of bondage and suffering that as long as African Americans remain, would make them cause psychological and physical wounding of the black body in transit in the watery passages.

Columbus  a dominant leader has not only ruled our minds but also our bodies who fear and are threatened with starvation. No education, no literacy, living under the heaviest handicaps if they were permitted to live at all, and when they succeeded in accumulating property it was liable to be taken from them by force. Businesses that were unregulated were lending money by individuals illustrated the most atrocious abuses conducted under Columbus shelter. If this is what America has gained so far, then it is better to stop looking forward towards civilization and initiate a new era of understanding not the whites, the blacks, Mexicans, or Spaniards but humans. If we are to comprehend and fill up the gap created between real history and ideology, we have to understand the role of nation in American civilization, we must look beyond the nations desire for practical accomplishments. It is especially important that we do so at a time when every mans life is profoundly affected by the actions taken by our politicians and leaders and at a time when the national government has assumed direct responsibility for understanding the need of humanity.

Work Cited

Howard Zinn, (1997) The Zinn Reader: Writings on Disobedience and Democracy: Seven Stories Press, pp.479-498.

The Columbian Exchange represents a turning point in human history that has shaped the world in ways that continue to resonate today. Named after Christopher Columbus, the exchange commenced in the late 15th century, marking a widespread exchange of crops, animals, technologies, cultures, and even diseases between the New World (the Americas) and the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia). This unprecedented interaction led to profound and irreversible changes in human life. Its multifaceted consequences affected economies, societies, and environments on both sides of the Atlantic.

The intricate complexity of this phenomenon has generated diverse opinions and interpretations, which makes the Columbian Exchange an enduring subject of historical inquiry. This essay will explore the dynamics, implications, and lasting impacts of the Columbian Exchange, providing a comprehensive understanding of this significant epoch in world history.

History of Columbian Exchange

The history of the Columbian Exchange is intertwined with the Age of Exploration and European explorers’ discovery of the New World. This phenomenon began in 1492, when Christopher Columbus embarked on his famed voyage, eventually reaching the islands of the Caribbean. The subsequent explorations by other European adventurers opened new horizons for interaction between the continents.

The exchange involved a plethora of goods, ideas, and organisms. From the Americas to Europe, crops like maize, potatoes, tomatoes, and tobacco were introduced, while wheat, sugar, coffee, horses, and domesticated cattle were brought from Europe to the Americas. These exchanges revolutionized agriculture and culinary traditions on both continents, leading to a surge in population and economic growth.

However, it was not just commodities that were exchanged. Diseases played a particularly brutal role in this period. Smallpox, measles, and other Old World diseases devastated indigenous populations in the Americas, who had no immunity against them. In some cases, mortality rates reached up to 90%. This led to profound demographic changes and allowed European powers to consolidate their control over vast territories.

Simultaneously, the transatlantic slave trade became an essential aspect of this exchange, as African slaves were transported to work on plantations in the Americas. This migration, forced and otherwise, contributed to the shaping of new multicultural societies, yet it also left a tragic legacy of exploitation and suffering.

The effects of the Columbian Exchange rippled through various sectors, including technology, religion, and governance. The widespread transfer of knowledge and innovation contributed to the globalization of various practices and the emergence of a more interconnected world.

The history of the Columbian Exchange is a tapestry of conquest, collaboration, adaptation, and transformation. Its lasting impacts can be witnessed in the altered landscapes, demographics, and traditions across the continents, forever shaping the trajectory of human civilization. It is a testament to the profound interconnectedness and interdependence of different cultures and regions, a theme that remains relevant in today’s globalized world.

Positive Impact of Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange had many positive effects that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, laying the groundwork for a more interconnected world.

1. Agricultural Revolution: The exchange of crops like maize, potatoes, tomatoes from the Americas and wheat, sugar, and livestock from Europe led to an agricultural revolution. New crops suited different climates and soil types, resulting in diversified farming practices and increased food production. For example, introducing the potato to Europe provided a high-yield and nutritious crop that helped alleviate famine and contributed to population growth.
2. Economic Growth: The transfer of precious metals such as gold and silver from the New World increased wealth and investment in European nations. The growth of trade routes and markets catalyzed economic expansion and the development of capitalism, paving the way for the modern global economy.
3. Cultural Exchange: The mingling of cultures led to a rich tapestry of art, music, literature, and culinary traditions. Fusing different cultural elements created new forms of expression and traditions that continue to thrive.
4. Technological Advancements: The sharing of technology and innovation fostered progress in various fields such as navigation, agriculture, and medicine. European advancements in shipbuilding and navigation tools facilitated exploration while introducing New World crops stimulated agricultural innovation.
5. Demographic Growth: The influx of new food sources contributed to better nutrition and a surge in population in many parts of Europe and Asia. The increased availability of resources supported urbanization and societal development.
6. Formation of Multicultural Societies: The amalgamation of European, African, and indigenous cultures in the Americas shaped unique multicultural societies. This blending of traditions and beliefs fostered a sense of community and identity in a newly connected world.
7. Environmental Adaptation: The introduction of non-native species allowed for new ecological interactions and adaptations. While this had some negative consequences, it enabled more resilient and diverse ecosystems in various regions.

The positive impacts of the Columbian Exchange have had enduring influences, contributing to the complex and multifaceted world we live in today. The mingling of cultures, the innovation in agriculture and technology, and the formation of new societal structures laid a foundational pathway for globalization. It illuminated the potential of human collaboration and connection, showing how intertwined and interdependent different parts of the world could become.

Negative Impacts of Columbian Exchange

1. Destruction of Indigenous Populations: Perhaps the most devastating aspect of the Columbian Exchange was the introduction of Old World diseases to the Americas. Lacking immunity, indigenous populations were decimated by smallpox, measles, and other ailments. Entire cultures and civilizations were wiped out, leading to a loss of heritage and knowledge.
2. Environmental Degradation: European livestock, such as pigs and cattle, caused widespread deforestation and soil erosion in the New World. Invasive species outcompeted native flora and fauna, leading to long-term environmental damage.
3. Exploitation and Slavery: The demand for labor to cultivate new crops and mine precious metals led to the enslavement of indigenous peoples and the growth of the transatlantic slave trade. Millions of Africans were forcibly taken to the Americas, enduring horrific conditions and a lifetime of servitude. This legacy continues to affect racial and social dynamics in many countries.
4. Economic Disparities: While the Columbian Exchange brought wealth to some European nations, it also led to economic imbalances. The influx of gold and silver caused inflation and financial instability in some regions, widening the gap between rich and poor.
5. Loss of Autonomy for Colonized Regions: European powers exerted control over vast territories in the Americas, leading to the loss of autonomy and self-determination for many indigenous communities. This colonization often involved brutal suppression of local customs and governance.
6. Cultural Erosion: The forced assimilation and conversion of indigenous peoples led to the erosion of unique cultural identities. Many indigenous languages, traditions, and practices were lost or marginalized.
7. Dependency on Single Crops: The focus on lucrative crops like sugar and tobacco led to monoculture practices, making economies overly reliant on single commodities. This left many regions vulnerable to market fluctuations and contributed to long-term economic challenges.

Conclusion

The Columbian Exchange is a monumental phase in human history, embodying the profound complexity of globalization, cultural interaction, and human advancement. It opened doors to unprecedented opportunities, fostering economic growth, technological innovation, and cultural fusion. The world’s interconnectedness, diverse societies, and resilience reflect the positive impacts.

However, these gains were paralleled by grave injustices, environmental degradation, and the loss of unique cultural identities. The tragic consequences, particularly the destruction of indigenous populations and the brutal legacy of slavery resonate as painful reminders of the cost of unchecked expansion and exploitation.

The multifaceted nature of the Columbian Exchange continues to shape modern debates on globalization, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Its history symbolizes human ingenuity and a cautionary tale of the delicate balance required to maintain ethical and sustainable progress.

In reflecting on the Columbian Exchange, we are reminded of the intricate web that connects different parts of the world and the shared responsibility to ensure that progress and growth do not come at the expense of social justice and environmental stewardship. It is a testament to humanity’s ability to build bridges and break barriers and a call to approach our interconnected world with mindfulness, empathy, and responsibility.

Christopher Columbus asked King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain for money to try out his idea of traveling west to reach the East. Queen Isabella refused Columbus at first. Later King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella gave Columbus three ships, a crew of about ninety men, and some money. The three ships were the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. Christopher sailed on the Santa Maria.

So Christopher Columbus is talking to his brother wondering how they are going to get away to be able to go and travel to new places and claim them. He had hopes of finding a water route from Europe to the rich supply of spices and other commodities found in India and the rest of Asia. So they went to the king of Portugal and tried to get ship, money, and supplies from him so they could go and travel but he refused to give them so they didn’t know what to do. Then they went to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and they agreed to fund his voyage. Then in August of 1492, he and his crew set sail on 3 ships which were the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María.

Then they got everyone on and ready and got everyone situated. They set sail then later that year On the 12th of October, one of Pinta’s crewmembers saw land and told the rest of the crew immediately. Then they landed on an island in the Caribbean and he thought that he was in India so he claimed the island and named it Spain and kept going on and exploring many other islands near that one. The captain of Pinta confirmed the discovery and told Columbus. Columbus named the island San Salvador while the natives called it Guanahani. As described by Columbus, the natives in San Salvador, were peaceful and friendly. Upon leaving this island, Columbus went on to explore the northeastern coast of Cuba and the northern coast of Hispaniola.

On Christmas morning 1492, the Santa Maria had to be abandoned as it got wrecked on the shores of the northern coast of Hispaniola. He had to leave behind 39 men at a fort called the Navidad due to no space in the other two ships.

His final stop before heading back home was Samaná Peninsula but his landing wasn’t as peaceful as expected. A violent resistance from a hostile named Ciguayos greeted him on his first voyage to the Americas. In the spring of 1493, he returned to Spain, bringing gold, animals, plants, and a number of Taino people who he had kidnapped through force. He stole about 10 to 25 natives before he left and brought them back to Spain but only about 7 or 8 of them actually survived the ride back. En route to Spain, Columbus faced another storm, which was considered one of the worst storms during that century, and was forced to set sail to Lisbon, Portugal where he anchored his ships on 4 March 1943. He stayed for more than one week then left for Spain where he reached on 15 March 1493. Then Christopher Columbus ended up doing 3 more voyages after that but then died on May 20, 1506.

On Monday, October 14th, citizens all around America commemorate Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the new world. However, beneath the American flags and fireworks, many of the horrors of his voyage have gone untold. Throughout his expeditions, Columbus terrorized the Taínos people, which ultimately lead to mass genocide. Christopher Columbus has been regarded as both a hero and a villain. However, due to his cruelty with the Tainos and his abuse of political power, he must be seen as a villain Often, historical perspectives from minorities are lost in the history books and replaced with accounts from the colonizers. This was especially the case with regards to the Arawaks and Taínos peoples in the Caribbean.

Throughout his four voyages, Columbus came into contact with the majority of the Caribbean sea, causing him to meet the tribes of that area of the world. Columbus told his men to, “spread fear into the hearts of the Tainos when there were rumors of a resistance,” (Zinn Education Project) and in order to understand the genocide and oppression against the Tainos, one must closely examine his policies and his journal. From the first of his visits to Hispanola, Columbus had taken Taino Indians as proof of life. An excerpt from his journal reads, “As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts” (Journal of the first voyage of Columbus, 2003). All that Columbus wanted was to extract valuable resources from the land and to abuse his power over the native people. Throughout American history, Columbus has been regarded as a hero, however only his account of the voyage has survived over time, and to properly understand what really happened in the west, one must remember the perspectives of the Arawak. Since Columbus and his men killed the population, there are no direct accounts of the cruelties they faced. However, one can acknowledge the struggle and pain that they went through. Before Columbus arrived there were millions of Tainos Indians, according to a Spanish priest, however when he departed in 1542 there were only 200 left (Zinn Education Project). Throughout the years, the voices of the Tainos were lost, but now we can learn about their culture, beliefs, and the hardships they faced. As well as being a violent killer, Columbus was a political tyrant who believed that the laws did not apply to him throughout his governorship of, “the new world.”

The objective of Christopher Columbus’s voyage was to find a new route to India, however, he also wanted to gain significant wealth and power. Columbus, King Ferdinand, and Queen Isabella of Spain struck a deal called The Capitulations of Santa Fe, which entitled him to govern and viceroy of all land he discovered (Christopher Columbus: Hero or Villain, Myint). Columbus was also entitled to 10% of any precious items he found along his voyage, such as the gold found on Hispanola. Although his intentions may have been noble at the beginning, this deal suggests that his actions were far from selfless. In 1949, the Spanish monarchy heard the tales of cruelty and barbarism coming from Columbus and his men towards