The landing of Christopher Columbus in the densely populated Taino Kingdom in 1492 initiates a series of catastrophic global events. It also ends a 10,000 year period of isolation of one half of the planet's population from the other.
We've read excerpts from Columbus's writings. Based upon these brief pieces answer this question in the comment section below:
What can we predict about the future of the relationship between the Taino people and the Europeans from these writings by Columbus?
(give a complete response and use quotes with your analysis)
Based of Cristopher Columbus' writings we can infer that the future relationship between the Taino people and the Europeans will not be good because the Europeans view the Taino people as inferior. He states that they walk around naked "as their mothers bore them." Comparing them to babies denounces them to seem as though they are small children. Furthermore he claims that not only do they not have advanced technology and weaponry but that they are not "capable of using them." Columbus makes the people sound dumb and unable to function. However, this is not the case. These people were bale to build great temples and irrigation systems as well as farm an create complex housing situations. In addition, he clams that the people are "timid" and that "even a father would not stay for his son." Columbus views the Taino people as lesser beings. He believes that they can easily e controlled. Since he is the leader of the European "discoverers" they will follow what he says. Therefore, the relationship between the Taino people and the Europeans will be bad because the Europeans will look down on them and try to control them.
ReplyDeleteI agree where you say Columbus makes the people sound dumb and unable to function. He calls them simple and he believes that he can take over their island if he wanted to with only 50 men.
DeleteI agree--the Europeans see their kindness and open-heartedness, and they in turn exploit that as if it is something to be eradicated.
DeleteI agree with you that the Europeans would most likely try to control the Taino people because the Europeans thought they were superior to them.
DeleteFrom Christopher Columbus' journal entries, we can infer that the future relationship with the Taino people and the Europeans is negative. Columbus instantly looks down on these people, as his journal states, "They have no other arms than the arms of canes, {cut} when they are in seed time, to the end of which they fix a sharp little stick;" The language he uses such as. "sharp little stick" conveys weakness, not seeing what the Taino people use as tools developed from where they lived. It is true that the Taino people were less militarily advanced than the Europeans due to where they lived. They had no access to gunpowder, which was founded in China, as they were basically closed off from the rest of the world until now. Europe is so militarily advanced due to how they needed to be. Europe, compared to North America, is small. Alongside the various kingdoms that kept on fighting in Europe, better weapons would be needed in order to get the upper hand. The Taino people did have wars with other civilizations, but more spread out. Advanced weapons wouldn't be needed that often if fighting didn't occur that often.
ReplyDeleteHe then continues to degrade the Taino people, as he writes, "They have no arms, and are without warlike instincts; they all go naked and are so timid that a thousand would not stand before three of our men. So that they are good to be ordered about, to work and sow, and do all that may be necessary, and to build towns, and they should be taught to go about clothed and to adopt our customs." He sees them as an inferior, weak, controllable people, not bothering to know the complexities of their kingdom.
I agree with your opening statement saying Columbus instantly looks down on the Taino people. He starts speaking about how they are barely clothed and have no arms(weapons) like Columbus and his men do, Columbus starts seeing the people as less from the start.
DeleteI agree with you that the Europeans look down on the Taino people. I addition, by acknowledging that the Taino people have a weak military and technology you can presume that the though of war with the Taino people is present.
DeleteI agree with your opinion that the Europeans look down on the Taino people, as the quotes you stated supported that. Colombus clearly views them as primitive and weak, judging on their weapons and the way they dressed and carried themselves, and feels he is obliged to feel superior.
DeleteBased on Christopher Columbus's Journal entries I can predict that the future of the relationship with the Taino people and the European people will be negative. I say this because Christopher Columbus calls them simple people and they are easily pleased meaning possibly easy to manipulate. This is shown where it says, "Of anything they have, if you ask them for it, they never say no; rather they invite the person to share it, and show as much love as if they were giving their hearts;" This shows Christopher Columbus seeing how they act towards possessions of theirs he said they don't deny you if you ask for something they have and he takes note of this. He calls them simple in the text when it says, "these people are very simple as regards the use of arms (weapons), as (people) will see from the seven that I caused to be taken," He has taken some of the people to show they may not be able to use weapons such as what Christopher Columbus uses so they can be taken over easily as he states later on. He continues to speak on how easy it would be to take over this place and force the people living there to do their bidding. Christopher Columbus sees these people as easily manipulatable and simple as they don't hold on to possessions they have and show gratitude to anything they are given.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because he makes them sound so primitive and as you said "simple". This means that they will feel above the Taino people and that will not end well.
DeleteAfter reading Christopher Columbus's Journal entries, I can infer that the relationship between the Taino people and the the Europeans will be unpleasant. For starters, we know that Columbus believes all land should be conquered by Spain. In his account his says, he describes the Taino as "timid beyond cure." He is ready to take advantage of these people and overtake their land. He continues on to say, "they have been reassured and lost this fear..." The Europeans gained the trust of the Taino so they would believe the change in their lifestyle was their choice. In short, the relationship between the Taino people and the Europeans will not be good because the Europeans want to claim this "new land" as their own.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting that you pointed out that now the Taino people will trust the Europeans so they won't feel forced when they are told to change their customs. The Europeans are manipulating the Taino people into thinking that they are choosing to change their ways of life, but in reality, they are being forced.
DeleteI like how you pointed out how Columbus not only was undermining the Taino people but also gaining their trust to work towards his personal advantage.
DeleteI like how you mentioned how Columbus made the Tainos feel very comfortable and lulled them into a false sense of security and then exploited them.
DeleteBased on Christopher Columbus' writings, we can predict that the future of the relationship between the Taino people and the Europeans will be negative because the Europeans have no respect for the Taino people and the Europeans think they can control them. For instance, in his letter to the monarchs, Columbus states, "They have no iron or steel or weapons, nor are they capable of using them." This shows that the Europeans treated the Taino people as if they were dumb, just because they do not have the same technology as the Europeans. It will not be a nice experience when the Europeans try to change the way the Taino people do things. Also, in a journal entry, Columbus states, "They are good to be ordered about, to work and sow, and do all that may be necessary, and to build towns, and they should
ReplyDeletebe taught to go about clothed and to adopt our customs." In other words, Columbus believes that he and the Europeans will be able to "make use" out of the Taino people because they can force them to do things and make them work as slaves. The Europeans think that they now own Hispaniola and therefore own its people. When the Europeans try to force the Taino people to follow their orders, this will not build a good relationship.
I agree with what you wrote, that Columbus's judged the Taino people from their technology; and then from that inferred they were dumb.
DeleteI agree with you because he saw people that where kind and simple and saw people that he can order around and make them do what he doesn't want to do.
DeletePredicting from whats shown in Christopher Columbu's writings we can predict that the Taino people and the Europeans will have a disagreeable and overall be unfavorable relationship. From his writings you get the impression that he has no intention of respecting these people but instead using their "Timid[ness]," to his advantage in his search for power. He even says that if the King and Queen desire it he will control them and take advantage of the fact that they have shown no sign of aggression or "war-like instincts." When this eventually progress's into wanting to conquer these people and their land it will end very badly. It is clear in his writings that he has a clear biased towards his own country and its inhabitants, and if his actions reflect his bias it will be even more difficult to create a favorable relationship with the Taino people.
ReplyDeletethat's very true because he does say that they have no intent of war and he does take advantage of that by conquering them and treating them like how they did.
DeleteI agree with your reasoning. He is extremely power-hungry, and his actions after he discovers the people proves this. He doesn't hesitate to use violence if someone or something gets in the way, especially the Taino people.
DeleteI agree with you when you say that Columbus has taken note of how non-violent the Taino people are. He does not find them threatening at all, which will make it easy for him to manipulate them.
DeleteI agree with your answer. Columbus knew the Taino people were very timid, and he knew he could take over and exploit them very easily if the king and queen wanted him too.
Deleteafter you read Christopher Columbus's writing you can predict that the relationship between the Taino people and them will not be a positive relationship almost in a way a toxic relationship. I say this because if you want relationship there has to be some sort of respect between the two parties, and in Columbus writings there's no sense of respect coming from him. yet it seems there's some respect coming from the Taino people even though its more curiousness. he says "It is true that after they have been reassured and lost this fear, they are so artless (honest) and so free with all they possess, that no one would believe it without having seen it. Of anything they have, if you ask them for it, they never say no; rather they invite the person to share it, and show as much love as if they were giving their hearts; and whether the things be of value or of small price, at once they are content with whatever little thing of whatever kind may be given to them." its a toxic relationship not just because we all know only one of them comes out on top but because they take advantage of their kindness and acceptances. Following all of that they offer Columbus wins and degrades them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, especially with the part about Columbus taking advantage of their kindness. He sees it as a weakness, and then he exploits it.
DeleteI agree with your reasoning that Christopher Columbus and the Taino people was very toxic. Columbus takes advantage of the fact that they are underdeveloped and uses them to gain power. I also agree that Columbus doesn't give the Taino people any respect, and treats them as if they were inferior to him.
DeleteI agree with your reasoning that Colombus would manipulate the Taino people and take advantage of their kindness and hospitality.By this, the relationship would quickly turn toxic as Colombus doesn't see them as people or humans or equals, he sees them as something to further himself.
DeleteDespite the fact that he never states it outright, Christopher Columbus is very obvious about his belief that the Taino people are inferior to him. He brings up the fact that they do not use weapons multiple times, and from that we can infer that he is well aware of the fact that he could overpower them easily if need be. The way he describes them is full of undertones of superiority. Columbus states "...at once they are content with
ReplyDeletewhatever little thing of whatever kind may be given to them. I forbade (not allowed) that they should be
given things so worthless as pieces of broken crockery and broken glass, and lace points..." He does not understand how a group of people could be so generous and grateful, and he seems them as lesser for it.
I agree, for Columbus thinks that anyone with a different mindset or different values is weaker than him. This was probably true for a lot of English people who had never left Europe.
DeleteI agree with the fact that Columbus saw the Taino as inferior due to their differences.
DeleteIt is safe to say that the relationship between Christopher Columbus and the Taino people would probably be unsavory. It wasn't until when Columbus "discovered" America when they knew of each other's existence. Due to this, the two had very different cultures, lifestyles and ideologies; and because of these differences, Columbus believes that they are inferior to him and everyone else that he knows. He believes that he is superior to everyone opposing him. According to one of his letters, he says that "They [the Taino People] have no iron or steel or weapons, nor are they capable of using them." He is insulting their skills, proving the claim that he despises the Taino People. Columbus and many others already had access to iron and steel and had the ability to convert them into useful tools and weapons. However, since the Taino people didn't have as advanced technology, Columbus blatantly insults them, believing that they don't have the intelligence to upgrade their materials. He doesn't sugarcoat his hatred for the Taino people either. In fact, the very first sentence to one of his letters to the monarchs expresses his bitterness towards the Taino people. It states that "...The people of this island {Hispaniola} and of all the other islands which I have found and seen, or have not seen, all go naked, men and women, as their mothers bore them, except that some women cover one place with the leaf of a plant or with a net of cotton which they make for that purpose." He believes that they are underdeveloped, giving him more reason to believe that he is superior to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Columbus doesn't really censor his hatred and his view on the Taino people. Maybe he just didn't care on what people thought because people actually agreed with him.
DeleteWe can assume that the relationship between the Tainos and Columbus would be very strained. From the first entry, Columbus already considered the Tainos inferior. He said that the king and queen of Spain already considered Hispaniola theirs as much as they did with Castille. Columbus wrote that the Tainos ought to adopt the Christian and Spanish customs. He observed that the Tainos wore very limited clothes, and had very primitive weapons, and figured that they had to adopt Spanish customs to fix the things he found unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteI agree because its a matter of perspective because what Columbus did was odd for the natives and vice versa
DeleteYeah I agree perspective really changes. Imagine if the native Americans had made it across the Atlantic they would have found the Europeans primitive amd tried to enslave them
DeleteThe future of the relationship between the Taino People and Christopher Columbus seems like it would be more of a conquered people and the conquerors. Columbus already had the idea in his head from the Canary Islands, so he looked at the Taino people not as equals but as subjects. For example, Columbus writes, " . . . for with fifty men they can all be subjugated and made to do what is required of you . . ." (October 4th, 1492). This illustrates Columbus's idea of what to do with the Taino people, and builds on his first idea of enslaving them as a civilization. Perhaps Columbus wanted to prove the queen that his quest was successful, or maybe he was truly unsympathetic to the people and thought enslavement was the best thing. He also looks down on the Taino people because they haven't figured out how to produce and use bronze and iron. Columbus writes, "They have no iron or steel weapons, nor are they capable of using them . . ." ( February 15th, 1493). This reveals how much Columbus looks down on the Taino people, and maybe the reason why he goes through with enslavement. Columbus might believe that enslavement is the best thing for the Taino people because they're not smart enough to do anything else.
ReplyDeleteWell I do not believe it will be a particularly good and healthy relationship, while Columbus looks down on the Natives, they are kind and end up being exploited. I think Columbus will end up enslaving the Natives and/or convincing them into not-so-good-for-them business deals. Columbus acts as though he isn’t the one who just took a long journey and needs help, and treats the natives like they are the less in need ones. I also think that Columbus believes that because he maybe has better technology he is better than the rest of them, but in truth they have amazing architecture and communities.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Columbus assumes that just because the Taino do not have technology that the europeans value, such as guns or steel weapons, they have no technology or achivements.
DeleteI agree because even though they are more technologically advanced, it doesn't mean that they are savage or worse
DeleteWe can predict that Columbus will think he is superior because this was painted by someone who came with them, and they paint the natives in the corner as insignificant and small. They also seem to be portrayed as scared and sad
ReplyDeleteI agree. All of the things Columbus writes in his diary show that he thinks he and his crew are far superior to the Taino people.
DeleteI agree based off of what Columbus Wrote he describe the Europeans as superior over the natives and talks about the natives as if they were weak and inferior which was actually false.
DeleteI agree because a superiority complex usually leads to negative relations.
DeleteThe future of the relationship between the Taino people, as suggested by Christopher Columbus' diary, will not be the most friendly. As the diary says, the Taino people did not stand up to Christopher Columbus' men, and Columbus writes "...a thousand would not stand before three of our men." Columbus thinks very little of the Taino, and believes that "...they should be taught to go about clothed and to adopt our customs." Columbus believes that the ways of the Taino people are "wrong" and that the Spaniards should force the Taino people to adopt the "correct" ways of the europeans. Forcing a different culture on someone seems like it would not lead to the most friendly of relationships.
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ReplyDeleteWe can predict that the relationship of the Taino people and Christopher Colombus will be very disagreeable. For example, Colombus has already claimed the land as Spain's, believing that it was their own right. In addition, he also believed that the native people were inferior to the Spanish people, showing a dislike to their way of life. He also thought that they should adopt Spanish customs as well as the Spanish language, and convert to Catholicism. Based on this, we can infer Colombus may force the natives to do alot of things against their will and punish them severely if they disobey, making the Taino people angry and resentful.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I was using Siri, some words were changed with autocorrect.
ReplyDeleteFrom this image, you can tell that the Taino people and the Spaniards will come to be enemies. I might be wrong but I'm fairly sure that there's blood on the dirt. We also see that Christopher Columbus has his sword unsheathed. Lastly, we know that Native Americans wouldn't allow their own to be killed in cold blood like that.
ReplyDeleteI agree based off of what is given to us in the picture it does show that the Taino people and the Europeans will be enemies in the future.
DeleteI agree because if you kill someone it generally puts a damper on the party.
DeleteWe can predict that the relationship between these two different groups will be a rocky relationship. The Taino people seem to be scared of the European people. The European people seem confident with the looks on their faces and the armor and weapons they have. Columbus claimed the land, leaving the poor Taino people powerless.
ReplyDeleteWe can infer that the relationship between the Taino people and the Europeans would be negative. You can infer this because the Europeans believed they were superior to the Taino people and looked down at them. The European's thought they could control them and didn't have respect for them. The Europeans and Taino people would probably be enemies or at least just not get along well.
ReplyDeleteFrom the content of coulombs journal we can infer that the relationship will be bad, because he sees them as savages and he thinks that they culture. Also they seem to trusting and they don't seem to pick up on coulombs's malicious intent. Also Columbus says he will take some of them as his salves, which is usually not a good start to diplomatic relationship.
ReplyDelete