Category: Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus and John Smith are very important in the United States’ history. They are both always remembered as successful explorers and also the ego in their leadership. Christopher Columbus found the “New World”, America. He took every opportunity and considered to be a leader never gave up, and even return to influence after a major misfortune. On the other hand, John Smith is seen as a hero, who was a devoted man to his country, England. He wanted nothing more than to declare America in the name of the king. However, it is clear that they both believed in their skills and abilities. Their letters were full of imaginations and fiction in order to convince their sponsors that they can deliver.

Christopher Columbus was one of the most famous explorers of the 15th century. He was an Italian explorer who has interest in exploring the West Indies. He made a daring trip when he set sail for the Indies since he knew he was headed to some tough conditions: rough water, bad weather, and maybe even a dangerous crowded group of people. He is credited with inspiring the Spanish settlement and colonization in America. Before his expeditions, the Europeans believed it was impossible that the ship could cross the Atlantic Ocean to the west to support his crew with water and food. His work is a contribution in devising ways of crossing the ocean to the west to establish new trade ties. Thus, the Columbus’ voyage was a great success. He won the Spanish empire’s trust from the king to the public during this voyage.

In 1493, he wrote a letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The letter presents the theme of the society at the time. From the letters Columbus wrote to Spain after his voyage, his description of the nature of the new islands seems to be more imagination than reality. He used imagination to write about the newly discovered islands. His letter about the inhabitants, the productivity, fertility, and diversity of the islands was very optimistic and inspiring. Therefore, these letters were intended to show his loyalty to the Queen and King of Spain and the Spanish Empire. He wrote in his letter:” To the first island which I found I gave the name San Salvador, in remembrance of the Divine Majesty, Who has marvelously bestowed all this; the Indians call it “Guanahani.” To the second I gave the name Isla de Santa Maria de Concepcion; to the third, Fernandina; to the fourth, Isabella; to the fifth Isla Juana, and so to each one I gave a new name.” When he discovered the islands, although he knew these islands already had names by the Indians, he did not hesitate to name it in honor of the Spanish King and for religious reasons.

John Smith was a soldier, or as known as a hero who has remained in the History books for his role in establishing a British colony in America. He ruled the British colony of Virginia, based in Jamestown for a year from late 1608 to late 1609. During his reign, he used his experience as a soldier and an explorer to lead. Early exploration of the great rivers around the colony. Smith first became involved in the plan to establish a British colony in North America in 1606 for personal gain with a company in London that had been chartered by the King of England. By the end of the year, Smith led an expedition team with three small ships heading toward Virginia. During the voyage, Smith became a troublemaker and the captain planned to execute him when the ship arrived. However, he was spared because the king appointed him to be one of the colonial council members. He was later captured during his discovery expedition and he was taken to Chief Powhatans, who planned to execute him. However, he was rescued by the chief’s daughter the day he was executed and he was released. His expeditions were foraging because the colony faced collapse due to adverse weather, lack of food and water.

During the time of leadership, more and more settlers from England settled in their colonies. In order to satisfy his ego, he conquered and proudly took hostages and killed the leaders of neighboring communities. He used his authority to force communities to surrender to their food reserves. However, his administration encountered resistance from the indigenous people who fought against the colonists. During the fight, he was seriously injured. When he returned to England for treatment in late 1609, he never returned to Virginia. Although the author’s credibility has been widely criticized, the work of his experiences in the New World is inspired by the need to promote European colonies in North America. He was criticized for describing how he was saved by the chief’s daughter Pocahontas. However, he did not exaggerate the truth about Americans and warned his readers about the dangers that might occur as a result of the establishment of colonies in the United States. Although he is considered a liar and a coward by some historians, some consider him a hero not only in discovery and leadership but also in literature. His story of Pocahontas has stood the test of time and he is considered the father of American history classics. The time gap between when the letter was written and when it was received increased some speculation about whether what was recorded was actually happening. It is thought that smith created the story himself. By the time the letter was analyzed, all witnesses of the ratio may have died and thus the details could not be verified. Some historians claim that Smith invented the ratio to add quality to his fictional work and thus is considered the father of literary models.

In the video “Native American Before Columbus”, Christopher Columbus left his home in Italy to go and fight for his vision. His vision was to go to Asia, and the era at that time was filled with discovery and with expansion. Everything all started with the Queen of Spain, she goes by the name of Isabella. She is the most powerful woman in all of Europe. During that time Queen Isabella was desperate to find new routes to head to India, but she had plan to get there.

In Europe however, livestock and agriculture came to be important in the Americas. At the time in Mississippi crops was the fuel for the growth of the population. Once the people in Mississippi knew how to grow the crops, they didn’t have to leave. Potato’s as well were another important food the people ate. In north and south America in 1491 the farmers grew potatoes and corn for one hundred million people. Another important piece in the Americas was that the pigs and sheep were used for meat and for leather, and they had cows that give the people milk and cheese.

The crops where important to the people in Europe and Peru, people in Europe would cut down trees for the them to make fire. The Europeans badly needed space to grow their crops and they as also needed wood. They need the wood to build tools and burning. They didn’t have a lot of coal, they use the fire as fuel. With the wood the Europeans collected, they would use it to make cathedral buildings. The European cathedrals, castles, and monasteries all where made of wood that were collected. However, there was a huge competition for wood, the people who had a lot of money would be making the rules for the wood.

The money the Europeans have went to cities such as Venice, the richest city. All the buildings that were made in Venice were made from wood. Since the Europeans need trees for tools and buildings, they have run out of wood and fish. They had a huge amount of people in their continent and the Europeans don’t know what to do with the people. At that time the kings and queens will send the explorers to expand their power somewhere else.

Christopher Columbus wants to explore a new place for power, by going to India. Christopher asked Queen Isabella permission to go to India, and she agreed. Christopher gathered people to join him on his journey to India. In October 12, 1492 Christopher Columbus found land. Christopher then stayed for 3 months in the Caribbean not knowing the were another two great continents around him. On Christopher Columbuses second voyage to another continent he brought 8 pigs with him and over 20 years, 30,000 pigs on the island of Cuba. Once the pigs kept growing in the continents, the beginning of the Columbian Exchange happened.

After exploring the new world, people in continent died from a disease. The disease they died from was the small pox. They also found a disease called syphilis that came from the Americas. Then in the 17th century more people went to go to the new world in the Americas. England then beat Spain, and now England is the most powerful. Now England lives in the new world of the Americas. The European settlers and Spanish settlers grew a lot of plants in the free land they had. In the year 1600 Spain grew a lot of potatoes in their continent.

Looking how we are now we sometimes forget we are around nature and maybe sometimes forget that the Columbian exchange happened, but it will live on forever because it paved a way for us, and how we are living now. My opinion on this video is that I was really fascinated about the Columbian exchange, and how the new world was found. Also learning the process, it took the Europeans and the Spaniards to find land. It is also sad that the Europeans took the land of the Indians and brought others to take away their land they found. Overall I found this documentary to be interesting teaching us about the Columbian exchange.

I decided to do my paper on Christopher Columbus who was born in Italy in 1451. He was in love with sailing for as long as he can remember. As a teenager he got his first taste of the open sea on some voyages in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Gold and spices were the hot items back then. The problem was that they had to travel a long way to get in Asia. People were sailing all the way around Africa to get to Asia.

Christopher decided that he would go on his own voyage traveling West. So he would show everyone that there was a quicker way to get to Asia to get the gold and spices that everyone wanted. Christopher had a great plan but there was one problem he didn’t have a ship to use for his voyage. Columbus went to several European rules to tell them about his plan hoping they would loan him a ship or two but everyone kept saying no. They didn’t have the money to give to Christopher for his foolish ideas. Christopher decided to ask King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain if they would help him out. The King and Queen said that they can loan Christopher three ships but it better be good they said. It will show all of Europe just how strong and powerful they are. Christopher said our three best ships to explore are The Pinta, Nina, and the Santa Maria.

Christopher set sails in August of 1492, some days were rough on the water. Christopher crew started to think that they should turn back. “If we don’t see land in three days, I’m turning this ship around”, Christopher said. Do you see what I see – land! After they saw land not long after they had finally found Asia. Columbus had thought he had landed in Asia but instead he actually landed in the Caribbean. Christopher had claimed the land for Spain. Christopher head back to Spain to be treated like heroes. They couldn’t wait to tell everyone that they found India by sailing around the world. Christopher went on three more voyages to the new land with more ships and more people. They didn’t just visit the new land they wanted to create a Spanish colony.

Not long after thousands of Europeans were living in the new world. Not only did people move but they also exchanged animals and plants. The exchange of people, animals, and plants between Europe and Americas were called the Columbian Exchange. Christopher voyages were a pretty big deal. After Christopher got back other countries were not scared to send out their own explorers to see what they could find.

Many of the great themes of the modern economic and social realms can be interpreted by addressing the crucial role that the discovery of Columbus has played, and how it reshaped the entire global system. With the discovery of what was later known as the “New World”, the dynamics of different aspects of life, beginning with trade, diet, social classes, and coming to the political and military organizations; were no longer the same as before. In this paper, I will introduce briefly the changes in the economic and social spheres that occurred after this great discovery of the Americas.

The newly discovered virgin land has widened the horizon of the old continent. The vast raw materials found there, including gold and silver mines, the new foodstuffs, and various plantations brought about an extraordinary increase in commercial activity. The American exports to Europe flourished the European economy and initiated the primitive accumulation of capital. For instance, the Americas supplied Europe with what later became the main part of its diet; potatoes. Gradually, the old world became heavily dependent on what the new one was offering.

One other important consequence of this voyage was the switch between major commercial centers. Essentially, the main concern of Columbus was an economic one, aiming to find a new way to Asia. As the Ottoman Empire was dominating the vital points across the trade routes, i.e. primarily the Silk Road, Europeans wanted to avoid the high taxation by discovering a new path toward China and India. What happened to be the result was discovering an entirely new alternative, which indeed eliminated the monopoly of the Ottoman Empire over the trade routes, and thus weakened its national economy. As a reflection of such transformations, the social structure of both Europe and America has been reconstructed in various ways.

The arrival of Europeans devastated the native civilizations such as the Incas and Aztecs. According to Diamond (1997), over 90% of the population have been killed by biological weapons, i.e. the germs that were carried by the Europeans and to which Americans had no resistance. As a result, the colonizers who settled on the land found themselves with large tracts that needed farming and cultivation and which were inhabited by a strikingly decreasing population. The solution to such an economic problem was to bring more abundant labor. First, by encouraging European poor laborers to migrate to the New World, second, by trading slaves from Africa. Known to be one of the greatest voluntary migrations in world history; peoples’ movement toward the Americas revolutionized the global demographics and changed the whole picture. Referring back to the issue of slavery, according to Berktay (2019), the number of Africans who have been shipped as slaves reached 12 million. Gradually, those slaves formed a distinct class within American society. In 1492, when Columbus set foot in San Salvador for the first time, he had no idea that he was setting off a worldwide socio-economic revolution. He just wanted to get rich by sailing West to India, but he faced a huge “New World”. This voyage changed the course of human history. It enriched and empowered Europe, and initiated the growth of modern capitalism. It changed the social makeup and introduced new patterns into both societies.

Every year Christopher Columbus is known as the greatest explorer of the 15 century and he brought many riches and greats but he also brought many destructions and death to many cultures.

Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 and was a teenager when he first went to sea to explore. Later on, in 1495, Christopher Columbus presented a plan to the Spanish that he would sail around the world for goods and other things giving him a whole new world of lies. Christopher Columbus was a Sailor who accidentally found the Americas. Some people think he’s a hero because of his many discoveries. Others feel he’s a villain because he brought disease, death, and destruction to Hispaniola. I think he is a villain because he killed many people and spread disease over the country. When he arrived on land and spread a disease. And the disease wiped out a lot of people. A lot of people think he’s a hero but he’s a villain because he spread a disease and made people destroy the world. He was an awful person and should have been locked up or put away for a long time. Christopher Columbus also had a bad temper. He also had anger issues I think that Columbus was a villain because he said he was the one that first spotted land on his ship when it was not him, it was somebody else on the ship but just to be mean and rude and popular and rich in his country he lied and when they got back he told people it was him when it wasn’t, but nobody believes the other guy, people just loved Columbus back then.

Columbus was an Amazing sailor. I give him that. However, Columbus was a murderer, he organized the rape of Indigenous women, he was a thief and he was a liar. Yes, he opened the world up to more atrocities, more brutalities, and more murderous treatment of Indigenous Peoples and later to years of brutal enslavement of African peoples. His statues are tumbling, toppling, and being removed because we as a Nation have higher standards than just “opening the world and being a great adventurer”. He was a monster who should have been imprisoned or given the death penalty like he gave thousands of Indigenous Peoples. Let’s remove all statues and monuments that represent “man’s inhumanity to man”. Let’s celebrate our ability to be tolerant, patient, and loving to each other. Let’s erect statues of Faith, Peace, and justice. These abominable monuments to slave owners, murderers, rapists, and thieves should all be toppled,

There have been several debates on who discovered America. Columbus Day is a national holiday celebrated every year in many countries for the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival and discovery in America in the year 1492. However, it is known that at least one of these two theories such as the Vikings and Native Americans landed in American before Columbus did. Native Americans are one of the many theorists who believed to be the first people to step foot in America.

Scientists believe that it occurred during the last ice age which occurred about fourteen thousand years ago. Since the sea level at the time was lower than now, there was land between Alaska and Siberia that provided a way for people to walk across. During that period Native Americans would follow herds of animals for food. When their food ran out, they would have to move to another area resulting in them crossing the land bridge and being the first people to land in America. However, as the years went by, the ice between those two vast territories melted over time. Since the land bridge is now covered by the ocean, there is said to be no proof or evidence that people moved between Alaska and Siberia, which is why is considered a theory.

The discoveries from the Vikings go back to the period of 790 to 1066. The Vikings during this period were considered adventurous living in the country we now refer to as Scandinavia. One of these Vikings was named Leif Eriksson, who is believed to be the first person to discover America five hundred years earlier before Christopher Columbus. Leif Eriksson’s father, Erik the Red, taught him the skills to be an explorer, leader, and navigator just like him. At the age of twenty-five, Leif Erikssonset sailed with thirty crew members to explore the seas further to the west, even further than the land, Greenland, his father discovered years before. Eventually, Eriksson landed in a place called Vinland which is what we call North America today. His achievements were celebrated for hundreds of years through stories. Still and all, people doubted that it had happened because he wasn’t able to publicize his voyage with the Vikings.

Lastly, Christopher Columbus was another person whom many believe discovered America. Christopher Columbus was said to lead his three ships in attempting to achieve his goal to sail west until he reached Asia, and to prove the earth wasn’t “flat.” During his sail, he landed in a land that was known as North America. Many praised Columbus for his achievement in discovering America believing it was true due to his diary he kept the entire journey where he wrote everything he saw and discovered. However, it is also said he was not the first to discover America since there were millions of people already living there. Nevertheless, I believe the Viking Leif Eriksson and his crew discovered America. Modern-day explorers Helge and Anne Ingstad identified a Norse settlement located at the northern tip of Newfoundland that dates back to the exact time of Eriksson’s voyage. They were able to find remains and artifacts that further proved his story was true. In addition, pictures were proven to also show his voyage did happen.

According to Kevin M. Schultz in HIST4, contrary to the first source the explorers that joined with Columbus where found in the Middle and Far East, the second book proved that Columbus was not the one who discovered India Island, the third Alvar Nunez was not the man that forms the tribe, the fourth has an opposite point of view from the primary source of the De Las Casas. Comparing the primary sources with the book, the sources that were provided have more information. The sources helped me to understand more detail about chapter 2 and the behind of what happened in the stories provided in the book and the primary sources.

The diary of Christopher Columbus in 1492, travels with the purpose that he was a very important witness in Medieval and Modern Europe. Due to the travel, the main cause of the voyages was the virtual and dangerous. The ill-treatment and the diseases of the majority of the natives and the big impact of slave transatlantic. Everything that was happening around here pointed to Columbus as guilty of this grave situation. In the diary of Christopher Columbus mentions that other people share the same interests by stating, “many other trifles of small value, and became wonderfully attached to us” where he found new people who wanted to join the journey of founding a new land. However, according to Kevin M. Schultz in HIST4 “After Columbus, a host of other explorers set out in search of treasures in the Middle and Far East” (26). To illustrate this, he explained what he saw when they found the new island. How the Indian Language Guanahi” had their treatment to them. In the Columbus never wanted to have issues with illness and diseases from the new members that he had. Making also seems Columbus was a person who used these people as slaves and all policies had been involved as guilty as the people who followed his voyages. It was inevitable to not point Columbus as responsible, due to the great symbol he was. All of these men and the others who were exploring America were players of the dubbed.

This letter of Christopher Columbus, explains that he was the product of the classical Renaissance was convinced that he could navigate across the West. In search for the “Cathay” considering that he was playing in the rivalry form Portugal with Spain. Christopher had finally convinced Fernandid and Isabel to give him the NINA and Pinta and also the Santa Maria. Navigating across west for the reach of the Clay, he found the famous islands of India. But Columbus thought that he never found India Island, the place where he landed was the Bahamas. In their letter To Luis St. Angel, Christopher Columbus mentions that in “thirty-three days I passed over with the fleet which the most illustrious King and Queen, our Lords, gave me” where he found a lot of people on the island.” This newfound made Columbus write a letter to Luis the St. Angel for he was the one that would help him out to finance his expedition. He concluded that he made it into the Indian islands because of his mathematics predictions. However, according to Kevin M. Schultz in HIST4,” Columbus has not found India at all, he was the first European to set foot in North America” (25). To illustrate this the fact was that Columbus never discovered a new island due to that he was going in the opposite direction that he was expecting.

Alvar Nunez was the second mandate of Panfilo de Narvaez on his way to conquer the state of Florida. On the way, the three companions of Cabeza de Vaca at that time made an incredible journey across America to the southeast of the state. On the journey, they were captivated by a tribe of Indians near Texas. In this letter, the Indian of the Rio Grande mentions that “we crossed a big river coming from the north and, met a number of people that came from afar to meet us on the trail, who treated us like the foregoing ones.” But, finally, they walked through many cities were Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. Cabeza de Vaca provided important information about Native Americans’ life and their culture in another state. Explaining that they cross a river going to the north. Crossing plains where they meet new people who also came to the trail. However, according to Kevin M. Schultz in HIST4, “Between 1519 and 1521, Hernan Cortez led an expedition of six hundred men against the Triple Alliance”. This means that contrary to Cabeza de Vaca, he was not willing to ally with the tribe (28). He planned to build Mexico the ruins of the Aztecs and hope to find the same plunder as Cabeza de Vaca did. Cortez’s goal was to become the most European put Mexico as the largest state as a whole.

Bartolome better known as De Las Casas, was a man who served as a Spanish missionary. After a long process he was named a priest, he was also known as a hard worker man to find the end to the slaves and forced work towards the slaves. As he continued to stop slavery, Las Casas had success in converting some groups into tribes. But, failed in establishing the model of the Native Colony. In the letter Of the Island Hispaniola explains that “he Christians, whom they serve; the humblest, most patient, most peaceful and calm, without strife nor tumults; hate and desire of revenge as any in the world.” This illustrates the description of the De Las Casas’s courage to help out the people who were treated as slaves and make them do hard work. With no stopping, he tried to do his best to end and make them work together and form a tribe. However, according to Kevin M. Schultz in HIST4, “To convert Indians, the Spanish often destroyed Indian temples and replaced them with Catholic Cathedrals (30). This illustrates how the opposite of the De La Casas as catholic they were rude with the Indians and their religious beliefs. The Spanish did not want the to Indians bring something opposite from them.

Doing the compare and contrast was the primary source that gave a lot of information. These sources made me think and investigate more about the reality of the stories that they provided. Proving the information on both sides to differences the reality of what happened in that time. Even though Chapter 2 was very interesting it did have some differences from the every important event in the primary source.

I have just received word that my friend, Christopher Columbus, just convinced the King and Queen to pay for his voyage. He is hoping that he can find a new route to India. I have been invited to go with him along with 87 other men. We must leave our wives and children at home, hoping that one day we will return to them. There were three different ships built in Spain for this voyage: The Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. Then we were allowed to choose which boat to be on. I chose to be on the Santa Maria where Christopher Columbus was captain.

It was not until August 3, 1492, that we had set sail for India. We had only been sailing for about a month and we were already low on supplies. So instead of sailing for India, we had to change course and set sail for the Canary Islands. They are islands off of the NW coast of Africa. Once we had stayed there for a couple of days, we finally were on our course to India. On October 12, we reached India. The first man to see land was, Rodrigo de Triana. Everyone was very proud of him, but for Columbus to keep what was promised he said he saw a sprinkle of light (before anyone saw anything). When we got there, there were many naked people around us. Columbus had described them as ‘naked as the day they were born.’ Most of the people were under the age of thirty. All had very attractive bodies, and their hair was long and looked like something that should be on a horse’s tail. Many of them painted themselves, but their natural skin color was black or white. There were many scars on their bodies, so there must be some new species of creatures there. We immediately wanted to trade with them. So, after we made our friendship clear they had come to our ships where we were bringing parrots, cotton in bundles, and pottery. They were very creative people, they loved to dance and make music also. Then in exchange, we gave them glass, beads, and bells. It had occurred to us that these people were very poor in everything. Also, we saw that these people will be easy to turn into Christians and become great slaves. After staying there for two days, we set off to find more parts of India.

We had explored many different islands before reaching another part of India. When we arrived at our next destination, we made it to China instead of another part of India. None of us had seen such a beautiful place, there were trees, birds, fruits, and many flowers. So, Columbus set two men to find the Emperor of China. They did not find him, but they did stumble across two native houses. We believe that many people live in one house together. The Indians say that this place is a gold mine filled with pearls. Then they were smoking something, and we decided to call it tobacco. We all enjoyed smoking it, so we quickly caught onto the new habit. Then in the coming days, we did a lot of exploring. There are multiple rivers, that are great in depth and width. All men, women, and children fled their houses, and the Generals ordered nothing shall be touched. So, nothing was touched. These houses are better than any of the previous houses. They all had dogs that never barked, and wild birds that were tamed in all the houses. While we continued to go throughout the land, it was very hot. Like how hot it is in May. He had named this place Rio de Mares. We roughly stayed here for about two months, learning the Indian ways, and doing trades with them.

On December 6 there was an island that seemed very tall (but not surrounded by mountains), beautiful valleys, and crops that seemed to look like wheat on the plains. Then that night we saw many fires with a lot of smoke, and it seemed to look like signals when people were at war. This island appears to be rockier than any of the others, and the trees are much smaller. Near the port, there was a beautiful valley filled with water. Also, we could see that the natives had fled as soon as they saw our ships. The Indians on the ship were already getting homesick. The Admiral considered taking them back to their homes, but he never seemed to set a course for back home. All of us hoped that the Indians we brought from their island would understand the language of these new natives. The Indians had made signs that there was gold on the island and the place where it was connected. Although they said that the gold was very far off the eastern. Then on December 25, the Santa María had run around and it needed to be abandoned. Columbus became captain over the Niña, and the Pinta had got separated from us. Then later, the Admiral talked with the chief and allowed some of our men to stay there. We left 39 of our men to set up a settlement, and we named it La Navidad.

Then after a long three months of being on the way home, we arrived on March 4, 1493. Even if we didn’t find the quickest way to India and China, we found something more extraordinary. Although we didn’t come back with ships filled with gold and spices, we found new land that no one thought there was. There were only ten people who died on this trip. Columbus and I decided that our greatest find was the natives. We thought that we might have found a new slave trade, but after years of being back, Queen Isabela decided not to open the New World to slave trading. I do believe that we made the world’s greatest discovery, even if Christopher didn’t believe that.

The 12th of October 1429 was the day that Columbus discovered the native Americas. Their motive was to explore, it wasn’t to spread the word of God. Evidence shows that they conquered the Americas as a way to gain slaves instead of spreading the word of God. A quote from Columbus’s journal states ‘They should be good servants …. I, our Lord being pleased, will take hence, at the time of my departure, six natives for your Highnesses.’ (Plus, 2017) This shows that Columbus was not treating the people correctly. He and others weren’t giving the people a chance to choose or understand what was happening. If the people didn’t want to accept the situation they would be turned into slaves and even be killed. The Spanish people were not spreading the word of God. Instead, they were turning innocent people into slaves and taking them for granted. They used the idea of ‘converting people to Catholicism’ as a way to gain slaves for their empire. A quote from the ‘requirement’ ‘ ‘We shall take you and your wives and your children and shall make slaves of them, and as such shall sell and dispose of them as their Highnesses may command; and we shall take away your goods, and shall do all the harm and damage that we can… and we protest that the deaths and losses which shall accrue from this are your faults, and not that of their highnesses, or ours’ (Plus, 2017) This is another quote which shows evidence to the cruelness that they were bringing upon the innocent Americas. The Requerimiento was an informative speech that was given to the Indians. It was made to explain what they had to follow and do etc. Although they did not read it with translation. So, no one could understand what they were saying therefore they did not fully agree to anything. But the Spanish left them no choice and they had to agree to something they never understood. It would have left people with no voice to speak up and no freedom.

The Spanish conquistadors set out on a journey to invade and find new land in the Americas. One of their main motives was trade. Trade was a very important part of history. All the goods and materials that people traded have made what we have today, and how our cultures and foods are significant to certain countries. Not only were the Spanish after goods and materials, but they were also after finding a new trade route. If a country had a trade route it was an advantage for them. Other countries wanted to also control trade routes as it would provide them with benefits such as having the power to tax all traded goods. There was a time when it was dangerous to be sailing out in the ocean to other countries. Problems occurred one after the other. Pirates were invading and prices were getting higher. Christopher Columbus decided to create a new plan. He planned to create a new trade route that would go to China. In 1492 Christopher Columbus set sail to China. This new route gave the Spanish new exotic foods, spices, and silk. Although the trade routes to China and other countries gained new foods, spices, and materials it also brought along slavery. A quote from a letter that Columbus wrote states ‘their Highnesses may see that I shall give them as much gold as they need…and slaves as many as they shall order to be shipped.’ (Plus, 2017) These words from Christopher Columbus show that they might have gone to different countries via the trade routes and gathered as many people as they needed to be shipped to others. There were no rules set in place, so therefore it made taking people as slaves simple. The higher up you were, the more power you had over the people. Christopher Columbus and others took advantage of this and captured people from their families to be used to work for others and himself.

The Aztecs, Mayas, and the Incas are all a part of the Indigenous tribe. When the Spanish conquered the indigenous people in 1519 and 1521 it caused the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas to lose their power and lives. The Incas lost their emperor, and the Maya civilization had died down. This caused the native people to be overpowered easily, causing them to lose the war against the Spanish. The Spanish took control, and the natives lost their power over their people. 1572 was when the Spanish Conquered the last standing group of the Inca tribe. They were located high up on a mountain which kept them safe for a while, but after time the Spanish came back and forced them to become slaves for them. They were paid little and were used for labor in the army. They were also used to create new cities and mine silver and gold. When Cortez conquered the lands, it caused different diseases to spread. Since new people were coming and going, the people brought deadly diseases with them and introduced them to the Aztecs. This caused people to die from many different unknown sicknesses. A quote from Cortez to the Aztecs says, “I and my companions suffer from a disease of the heart which can be cured only with gold.” (Oziah, 2011) This is false. A disease cannot be cured by using gold. Cortez used this as an excuse to collect gold.

The discovery of the new world will be an extraordinary discovery initially for Spain and later a disaster. when we look back in the past, it makes us understand that five hundred years before, Spain was a country invaded by fear, and superstition and that any man who dared to dream big was persecuted by the ruthless Inquisition and the crown. This was not the case of the admiral Christopher Columbus who believed in a way that could lead to the Asian islands without going through Africa and the Turkish islands. the reasons why he wanted to reach this island of Asia were because of its spices, its gold, and also to spread Christianity throughout the world. Thanks to the financial support of the Spanish Kings Isabel I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, on the three August one thousand four hundred eighty-two, they left Spain for this island so described by Marco Polo’s stories. After having spent almost eleven weeks of travel, they arrived on what was called the New World on October twelve, one thousand four hundred eighty-two, yet it was the island of Guanahani.

According to the film ‘1492: conquest of Paradise,’ the native way of life was reminiscent of the Eden era. In fact, during that time, there was freedom and if the conquistadors wanted to convert the natives, it should be by persuasion and not by force. The reason why it had to be so is that the natives never showed any kind of revolt against them on the contrary they entered into a relationship of peace, honor, joy, and mutual aid with the Spanish settlers. They lived in harmony all together and learned to adopt everyone’s way of life. The type of welcome granted to the settlers was the same on all the other islands they went to, but it was because of their appearance as Gods they wore.

The natives were characterized as uncivilized people who lived from hunting, agriculture, and handicrafts. Their life system was very precarious and above all they had a strong belief in the spirits which would make colonization a little complex later. On November twenty-eight, one thousand four hundred eighty-three, Christopher Columbus made his return to the lands of the New World. This comeback will be very shattering as they will realize the death of his thirty-nine men left behind and it will also mark the beginning of a tension between conquistadors and Amerindians. Indeed, the settlers began to cause trouble among themselves, to contract diseases and kill each other, as is the case of Moxica who always challenged Christopher’s authority. On the other hand, the indigenous population began collapsing following diseases reported by the settlers, wars, and the ill-treatment of the Spanish.

During this period, Christopher Columbus made some trips and discovered the West Indies and the Caribbean coast of Central America but in one thousand five hundred seven, the discovery of a new continent was attributed to Amerigo Vespucci. We also noticed a kind of mixing between the Spanish and Americans. Very often, the nature of this mixing was either voluntary or involuntary because some natives were raped or courted by the colonists.

We can therefore summarize by saying that the discovery of the new world was certainly beneficial for the settlers but horrible for the natives because they were deprived of all their ancestral wealth including their culture, their raw materials, and their freedom. It also attracted other explorers such as Jean Cabot June twenty-four, one thousand four hundred ninety-seven who explored the Bonavista or Fernando Lavrador in one thousand four hundred ninety-eight who explored northern America, and many others.