Christopher Columbus An Angel Of Mercy Analysis
Christopher Columbus: An Angel of Mercy becomes the Angel of Death
Europe was a continent emerging from the darkness of the Middle Ages. The people had endured a long period of war, disease, and general strife. Europe was emerging from the Middle Ages with a new sense of confidence and self-worth. Europe’s achievements, however, led to ever increasing confidence. Christopher Columbus’s “The Journal of Christopher Columbus” documents his actions taken in the Americas as well as insight into his thoughts at the time. When Christopher Columbus came into contact with the Native Americans, he would unknowingly perpetuate a European attitude of superiority. Even out of kindness, Christopher Columbus believed that the Native Americans were like …show more content…
The Europeans began to trade immediately with the Guanahani people. Columbus documents various items of low value being brought out to trade (Parrots, cotton thread, etc.). He notes that the natives accepted cheap trinkets such as caps, glass beads, and hawk’s bells in return for their items. The natives appeared to be delighted with their trades. Columbus also notes a lack of sophisticated weaponry. A lack of iron in even their javelins led him to believe the natives are not well armed. When shown “proper” weapons from Europe, the natives grabbed on to the swords shown to them which led to unintended injuries. Columbus writes that the Guanahani appear to lack religion of any sort. The natives showed themselves to be an open and welcoming people, so this made them prime candidates for religious conversion and servanthood. The natives shared stories of self-defense with Columbus so this likely led to the belief that while friendly, the natives would not be easily forced to accept Christianity. Force of arms was not the answer, at least not yet. A gentler touch was needed to tap the friendly and accepting nature of the natives. It was noted, however, that the natives would readily accept
Europe was a continent emerging from the darkness of the Middle Ages. The people had endured a long period of war, disease, and general strife. Europe was emerging from the Middle Ages with a new sense of confidence and self-worth. Europe’s achievements, however, led to ever increasing confidence. Christopher Columbus’s “The Journal of Christopher Columbus” documents his actions taken in the Americas as well as insight into his thoughts at the time. When Christopher Columbus came into contact with the Native Americans, he would unknowingly perpetuate a European attitude of superiority. Even out of kindness, Christopher Columbus believed that the Native Americans were like …show more content…
The Europeans began to trade immediately with the Guanahani people. Columbus documents various items of low value being brought out to trade (Parrots, cotton thread, etc.). He notes that the natives accepted cheap trinkets such as caps, glass beads, and hawk’s bells in return for their items. The natives appeared to be delighted with their trades. Columbus also notes a lack of sophisticated weaponry. A lack of iron in even their javelins led him to believe the natives are not well armed. When shown “proper” weapons from Europe, the natives grabbed on to the swords shown to them which led to unintended injuries. Columbus writes that the Guanahani appear to lack religion of any sort. The natives showed themselves to be an open and welcoming people, so this made them prime candidates for religious conversion and servanthood. The natives shared stories of self-defense with Columbus so this likely led to the belief that while friendly, the natives would not be easily forced to accept Christianity. Force of arms was not the answer, at least not yet. A gentler touch was needed to tap the friendly and accepting nature of the natives. It was noted, however, that the natives would readily accept