Barleben #3

Columbus, Christopher. “Santangel letter Christopher Columbus.” Early Modern Spain: Santangel letter, King’s College

London, 25 July 2005, www.ems.kcl.ac.uk/content/etext/e022.html. Accessed 2 Oct. 2017.

Observations and Excerpts: This letter formally announces he has taken these islands in the name of Spain and goes on to describe the people and lands he has encountered.  He speaks of “…many spices and vast mines of gold and other metals in this island” and describes the people of the island as “… well-made men of commanding stature, they appear extraordinarily timid.”  It is easy to see how the next step for Columbus would be to ask and ultimately force the natives to help in accessing the gold, silver and spices.  According to Columbus he was viewed as a God by the people he encountered. This view easily led Columbus to expect the natives to convert to Christianity.  If they refused he would feel justified in punishing them in any way necessary = including bringing them back to Spain as slaves.  This letter is of Columbus himself describing how he took over the islands.

Abstract: Contains letters and journal entries written by Christopher Columbus to various important people during his years of exploration.  These are Columbus’ own words that can be used to support the view of him as villain.