HUMAN PROGRESS COLUMBUS, THE INDIANS, AND HUMAN PROGRESS By: Areli Flores

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS Born: 1451 Birthplace: Genoa, Italy Died: May 20, 1506 Nationality: Italian Best known for his voyage in 1492 when he “discovered” America while he was looking for a way to sail to Asia.

COLUMBUS’ GOALS Columbus promised to spread the Christian faith to the people of the East and return with gold, silver, and spices. Columbus wanted to reach China and some of the Asian countries, in order to seek for valuables and goods. Find an easy route to Asia, in order to filter trade and easily explore different countries valuables and goods.

HIS VOYAGE Convincing the King and Queen of Spain to support his voyage, Christopher Columbus departed mainland Spain on August 3, On October 12, the sighting of land was seen. At first, one of the sailors on board, Rodrigo de Triana said to have seen land, but instead, Columbus claimed to have sighted some sort of light before Triana did. The land, which is known as present day Bahamas, was the island they first encountered.

THE VOYAGE CONTINUED At the Bahamas, Columbus explored five islands, before making his way to Cuba. On October 28, he finally reached Cuba, making his stop at Bariay, which is near the eastern tip of the island. At first, he thought he had reached China. Failing to find the emperor of China, they did notice the smoking of tobacco, in which they started to do themselves.

THE VOYAGE CONTINUED On December 5, after having left Cuba, he then discovered the Island of Hispaniola. At the time, the natives called hit Haiti but Columbus wanted to change its name to La Espanola. After some complications were fixed, they decided to sail back home on January 16 and did not reach Lisbon, Portugal until March 4. From there, they were reunited with Spain. Columbus failed his mission. He did not reach China and did not successfully find a route to China. He did not bring back what he promised he would return. He also lost the largest of the three ships that he was appointed to uphold.

THE VOYAGE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS Here is a picture that portrays the areas Columbus came across. He visited these locations numerous times in search of valuables and goods.

THE DISCOVERY The discovery of America led to Columbus’ arrogance and greediness to grow. Since he did not find what he was set out to find, he wanted to make the voyages worth it. He then started to enslave the Indians and tried to search for some of the good and valuables that he thought the land possessed. The discovery of these lands allowed others to further investigate these routes and to find out more about what the Earth has out there. It also sparked a new field of trading, slavery, and finding goods to sell and bring back from these places. Columbus discovering America opened up new lands and resources. As well as that it opened up new financial venues to many poor people.

AFTER HAVING DISCOVERED LAND Columbus and his crew were encountered by the natives of the land. They were friendly and welcoming which confused Columbus.

THE SANTA MARIA, THE NIÑA, LA PINTA These are the three ships that set sail to find China, but instead they found different areas that they thought was Asia. As a result during the voyage, the largest of the thress, Santa Maria was lost.

THE INDIANS AND THEIR TREATMENT Columbus was desperate to make his expeditions profitable enough so that Ferdinand and Isabella would continue to support it. Columbus’s arrogance and exploitation regarding slavery began on his second voyage. Ferdinand and Isabella wanted everyone to be treated kindly, but Columbus ignored their desires. Columbus began exporting slaves in great numbers in By the time they reached Spain, usually a third of them were dead. The Indians that were not exported were put into slavery on the island. There was literally no way to escape some form of enslavement.

THE INDIANS AND THEIR TREATMENT Enslavement of the Indians was not the only violation they were forced to endure; Columbus also terrorized, tortured, and killed them. Columbus also sent five hundred men into the hills to search for gold. When they had information that Indians were going to attack them, they brought in a massive number of soldiers to show how strong the Christians were. Christopher Columbus was very cruel and did not care how he treated people. He wanted to praise himself and how good the Christians were.

CRUEL COLUMBUS He treated the Indians like they were animals. He enslaved them and tortured them. He wanted to do it in order for him to achieve happiness. Like many, he wanted to make a profit but instead it was a disaster. He did not give much care to any of the brutal acts he was committing.

REFERENCES st/p/Columbusfirst.htm did-christopher-columbuss-discovery-changeaffect-his-home-country- spain/ did-christopher-columbuss-discovery-changeaffect-his-home-country- spain/