How Did Christopher Columbus Impact The Indigenous People

Christopher Columbus’ Impact on the Indigenous People of the New World

Christopher Columbus, the renowned and celebrated fifteenth century, Italian explorer, best known for his discovery of America. He is less commonly known however, for his ‘discovery’ of the people of the New World and how he dramatically changed their lives forever. Columbus’ impact on the people of the New World was a ghastly one, to say the least, that permanently altered their lives for the worst. He stumbled upon their existence by accident which lead to the unfortunate and unforeseen manipulation and enslavement of the natives of the New World. Although this treatment was not supported by all Europeans, it never ceased for the native people. They were exploited,

He struggled to find someone to fund his trip until 1491, when Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon agreed. They too desired the fame of discovering a new land and the riches that could come with it, so Columbus promised them valuables. As part of his contract Columbus was promised ten percent of any profits found, as well as the leadership of any land he discovered and the title “Admiral of the Ocean.” As they were devout Christian’s they decided to seize the opportunity to spread their religion across the world. On August 3rd 1492, Columbus departed the shores of Palos in southern Spain on his first voyage. The 12th of October was when they reached land, which was neither Asia, as he had planned, nor the Indies, hence why he called the native people Indians, as he first assumed but Guanahani, as the natives called it, Hispaniola, as Columbus renamed it, and Haiti, as it is known today. After stumbling onto their homeland Columbus obviously came across the natives, the

To make up for the fact that during his first journey he was not having much luck finding any valuable items, he sent Isabella and Ferdinand five hundred of the Tainos people to keep as slaves. One reliable source states, that she was aghast at the notion and returned them as quickly as she had received them. Isabella of Castile was in such shock because, according to the same source, in her opinion, anyone discovered by Columbus on his voyages were classed as Spanish subjects, which therefore meant they were not to be slaves. Some people of this day and age are only just learning of Columbus’ criminal actions, leading to protests on Columbus Day, that are wholeheartedly against the celebration of his life and accomplishments. For example, in 2017, the counties of Los Angeles and Salt Lake City used Columbus Day to celebrate the indigenous people of their land, rather than Christopher Columbus. Some Americans are so disgusted at Columbus’ actions that they petition for schools to take it out of their curriculum because they are not taught the whole truth. This example alone shows that people completely disagree with how Columbus and his men treated the indigenous of Haiti because it was so