Question

…myself gave them many beautiful articles, I did this that I might the more easily conciliate them that they might be led to become Christians…and that I might induce them to take an interest in seeking out, and collecting, and delivering to us things they possessed in abundance, but which we greatly needed

–Letter to King and Queen of Spain,
Christopher Columbus


What reasons does Columbus give to explain why he gives the indigenous people “many beautiful articles”? Check all that apply.

to manipulate them so that they may become Christian

to start fair trading with the indigenous people

to show that Europeans have more gold on their continent

to show that he respects the indigenous religious system

to influence indigenous people to find and bring to Columbus what he needed

Answer 1

The reasons Columbus gives to explain why he gives the indigenous people “many beautiful articles” are:

- to manipulate them so that they may become Christian
- to influence indigenous people to find and bring to Columbus what he needed