Indians Vs Columbus Chapter 1 Summary

As one reads the primary sources they realize that the Information they are given is rather descriptive in comparison to the Textbook. I for one think that primary sources are more superior when wanting to describe in depth a certain event in the eyes of the person who wrote the descriptive piece of information whereas the textbook relies more on factual information rather than descriptive information. In chapter 2 of the textbook the chapter makes mention to the start of exploration by the spanish and portuguese now in this chapter it is mentioned that the indians and explorers had made contact but the details about this contact are brief and not descriptive rather the chapter describes more the goals and the reasons of these early explorations.

One of the primary goals of exploring was to find new trade routes the early explorers It was never intended to discover what is now north america nor did they have the slightest clue that it was there. What fueled their urge for exploration was to take advantage of the technological advances “especially the nautical advances made during the hundred years war”-Kevin Schultz textbook chapter 2 pg. 23 meaning that ships and navigation had come a long way so it was in their best interest to use these advantages. We need to remember that these early explorers the portuguese and the spanish wanted to find a new trade route that would take them to India and the Middle East the portuguese were amongst the first to find this route by rounding the cape of good hope and then going north to reach india. This is specifically were the book comes in handy after all it is more factual it states the reasons why the Settlers wanted to explore lands in the first place it tells you about columbus’ accidental discovery and the contact made with the indians. However, one thing it can never provide is descriptive information actual information relating to the first encounters with the native americans particularly in Columbus voyage where he describes the native americans as “very friendly to us and perceived that they could be much more easily converted to our holy faith by gentle means than by force” -Primary Source 1 in this particular source or writing Columbus does not feel any disgust with these people on the contrary he sees them as a humble people and has somewhat a respect for them. The way one might see it perhaps his intentions were good from the beginning simply convert these people into christianity and hopefully live amongst them, however none of this would ever become a reality. Throughout the second chapter of the textbook the textbook itself makes only slight mentions of columbus's interaction with the native americans. In the second excerpt we are given more descriptive information in regard to the interactions between both parties. As mentioned before Columbus regards these people with utmost respect we can see this in the second primary source something that is not touched upon in the textbook he describes them as being “wondrously timorous” as mentioned in the second primary source “they have no other weapons than the stems of reed in their seeding place, on the end in which they fix little sharpened stakes, even these they dare not use.” this means that the native americans as described by Columbus were generally peaceful, and amiable towards him.

It is only afterwards when they were forced to leave their homes, and killed were they not so fond and welcoming of these explorers, however we must make note that columbus and his men were regarded as gods according to the native americans they believed that these explorers had come down from the heavens, this is explained by Columbus throughout the second primary source so it perhaps why the Native americans treated these explorers so kindly, however one has to agree that the Native Americans were in fact people of good heart by default therefore I believe that whether these Native Americans had looked Columbus and his mens as outsiders rather than gods they would still show utmost respect for them

regardless. As mentioned before the benefits of having read these primary sources is that they provide a more in depth look at the daily life of the Native Americans something the textbook does not touch upon too often. In the third primary source we are given information by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca who had explored the south west for over eight years and had explored parts of texas, arizona and eventually Mexico.His journey is briefly mentioned in chapter 2 of the textbook, however not much is said about his discoveries. Whereas in these primary sources we are given a glance at his journey throughout the south west and his interactions with these indians. The first two sources do play a great part in trying to understand the Native Americans and their personalities. Here however we are shown what daily life is for them. Something the textbook does not make mention of. They are described as “a merry people” by Vasco we are given descriptive information on how they live they are what I would consider never to be in one place for a period of time. “The indians are so accustomed to running that without resting or getting tired they run from morning till night in pursuit of a deer”-source 3 Vasco De Gama here this quote shows us that the Native Americans daily life was of chasing food, and when they did catch such game “they are very merry people”-source 3 Vasco De Gama they would carry out dances and celebrate their feasts according to this source. Here shortly after we could see that the Native Americans lived in peace and harmony problems may had arisen between t however they were very peaceful people nonetheless.