Negotiations Of Working Among Native Americans In Spain, And France

The first encounters with Native American were quite different between the European countries, such as Spain, England, and France. While Spain tried to spread Catholicism using violence, England colonized with any intention of working among Native Americans, and France was just interested in negotiating. In this essay I will first cover some context about Spain and Native Americans. Secondly, I will describe what Cristopher Columbus observed in Native Americans according to the document Major Problems in American History Volume I. Finally, I will explain how Spanish tortured Native Americans based on Bartolome de las Casas essay in the same document mentioned before. Spain was a Catholic country governed by Ferdinand of Aragon and

He described America as a land full of great rivers and excellent waters, a land that contained mines of gold and many spiceries. He described America and the Arawak as simple people, with no weapons, completely naked, or if wearing something, just a couple of leaves. In his essay he states that Native American will never say no to whatever Columbus asked to get from them, but if Native American get something as exchange they will give their heart and their support, in other words, they will be loyal to you. This was something really important when trying to spread Catholicism because he got their affection, and since the Arawak believed that the power and goodness came from the sky, Columbus made them believe that he and his ships were sent by the sky, which they completely believed. Columbus described them as a well-organized society, especially with their land and food, which was for everyone. America, according to Columbus, was a refreshment and profit not only for Spain but for the

He described the Arawak as a creation of God, without malice, with a high level of obedience, faithful to their natural lords, patient people, peaceful, and humble. By taking this into consideration, we can understand why the Spanish acted in the way they did. As it is described in the essay written by De Las Casas, Spaniards attacked Arawak like a hungry lion will attack his victim, they burned their bodies, throw the babies and their mothers to the rivers, and joke about them. In addition, they cut and fastened the Native American hands, as a physical and psychological torture, showing them to the other habitants. Spaniards were smart because they killed the kings and lords of the tribes, so it would be easier for them to conquer and spread Catholicism among Native