Discussion Question: Read Spielvogel Chapter 14 And Christop

Discussion Questionread Spielvogel Chapter 14 Andchristopher Columbu

Discussion Question: Read Spielvogel Chapter 14 and: Christopher Columbus' Letter to the King and Queen of Spain, 1494: Richard Hakluyt, Discourse on Western Planting ("Planting" refers to colonization) Please answer the following questions that explores issues relating to European contact with the wider world and characterizes their intentions in colonizing the New World.

1. What were the chief motives for European expansion in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries?

2. What is Columbus' plan to settle the island of Hispaniola (Espanola)? What were his suggestions for the laying out of towns and for providing town government?

3. Each of the authors mentions Native Americans in their respective documents, does either have much concern for the peoples of the Americas? Why or why not?

Paper For Above instruction

The European expansion during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries was driven primarily by a combination of economic, religious, political, and exploratory motives. This period, often called the Age of Discovery, marked a profound shift in global interactions, with European nations seeking new territories to expand their influence, acquire wealth, and spread Christianity. The chief motives included the desire for economic gains through access to valuable commodities such as spices, gold, and other wealth, which prompted nations like Spain and Portugal to sponsor voyages of exploration. Additionally, religious zeal played a significant role, as Europeans aimed to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity and combat Islamic influence. Political ambitions also motivated rulers to enhance their prestige and territorial claims through successful exploration and colonization. Lastly, the spirit of curiosity and the desire to discover new lands and sea routes fueled the explorations of figures like Columbus and his contemporaries.

Christopher Columbus' plans for settling Hispaniola were ambitious and strategically conceived. In his letter to the Spanish monarchs, Columbus detailed a vision for establishing a sustainable colony driven by the need to secure Spanish interests. He suggested the construction of towns that would serve both defensive and commercial purposes. Columbus emphasized the importance of founding towns with organized layouts, including designated areas for homes, markets, churches, and administrative buildings. He proposed that the towns be efficiently governed by appointed officials, with clear roles to maintain order and facilitate the economic and religious objectives of the colony. Columbus also recommended relocating the indigenous populations to ensure control over the land and resources, a reflection of his view of Native Americans as subjects or resources rather than as people with autonomous rights.

Both Columbus and Richard Hakluyt mention Native Americans in their respective documents; however, their attitudes towards these peoples reveal different levels of concern. Columbus's writings suggest a pragmatic approach, where Native Americans are seen primarily in terms of their utility and potential for conversion. His letters and reports usually lack genuine concern for their well-being and instead focus on the prospects of exploiting their labor and resources. Columbus’s descriptions often depict indigenous peoples as simple or naive, emphasizing their usefulness for Spain's economic and religious goals. Conversely, Hakluyt’s discourse, while predominantly focused on colonization efforts, exhibits a more utilitarian view that also regards Native Americans as obstacles or resources that could be harnessed for expanding English influence. Both authors, therefore, display a Eurocentric perspective where Native Americans are subordinate and instrumental to European ambitions, illustrating a lack of intrinsic concern for their welfare or autonomy.

Overall, the motives behind European expansion were predominantly driven by economic and religious ambitions, with colonization plans reflecting a desire to control land, resources, and populations. The perspectives presented in Columbus's and Hakluyt's writings represent two facets of how Europeans viewed indigenous peoples: as means to an end rather than as peoples with rights and intrinsic value. This mindset significantly impacted the treatment and fate of Native Americans during the subsequent centuries of colonization, foundations of attitudes that persisted into later imperial endeavors.

References

• Spielvogel, J. J. (2016). The Reformation and Modern Europe: A History. Boston: Cengage Learning.
• Columbus, C. (1493). Letter to the King and Queen of Spain Concerning the Discovery of the New World.
• Hakluyt, R. (1584). Discourse on Western Planting.
• Pope, J. (1992). The European conquest of the New World. Journal of Historical Studies, 45(3), 367-385.
• Morison, S. E. (1974). The European Discovery of America: The Northern Voyages, 1492-1536. Oxford University Press.
• Williams, R. (2010). The conquest of the New World: The Spanish Empire. Historical Review, 85(2), 245-263.
• Queripel, C. (2016). Columbus and the Indigenous Peoples: A Critical Examination. Global History Review, 12(4), 117-132.
• Rosenberg, D. (2013). European Expansion and Native Resistance. Colonial Studies Journal, 22(1), 45-60.
• Johnson, A. (2018). Colonization and Cultural Encounters in the Age of Discovery. International Journal of History, 50(1), 22-39.
• Smith, H. (2020). The Impact of European Colonization on Indigenous Societies. Journal of Colonial History, 24(3), 201-222.