How does Columbus”s description of the carribean islands reflect spains motivations for sending him there

1 answer

Columbus' description of the Caribbean islands reflected Spain's motivations for sending him there in several ways:

1. Natural Resources: Columbus emphasized the abundance of gold, spices, and valuable resources in his descriptions. Spain was eager to expand its wealth and power, and the promise of these resources provided a strong incentive for exploration and colonization.

2. Conversion to Christianity: Columbus portrayed the indigenous people as docile and innocent, describing them as potential converts to Christianity. Spain, as a Catholic country, had a strong desire to spread Christianity to new lands and to bring the indigenous populations under its religious influence.

3. Land and Territory: Columbus emphasized the size and strategic location of the Caribbean islands, emphasizing their potential as a base for further exploration and conquest. Spain was seeking to expand its territories and establish a foothold in strategic locations to solidify its dominance in the region.

4. Indigenous Labor: Columbus described the indigenous people as willing to work and serve the Spanish, highlighting their potential as a source of cheap labor. Spain wanted to exploit the resources of the newly discovered lands and saw the indigenous population as a workforce.

Overall, Columbus' description of the Caribbean islands aligned with Spain's motivations of wealth accumulation, religious expansion, territorial expansion, and economic exploitation.