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Introduction
This paper summarizes the plot of The Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus. It also briefly describes the main character and analyzes the main ideas of the story. The book is written from a historical point of view, so it does not focus on a specific issue. Nevertheless, this essay will attempt to note the manifestations of violence presented in it, as well as any other prominent ideas.
Main body
Christopher Columbus was an experienced sailor and had family ties in reasonably high places. He has already taken part in one expedition, “where he had seen at first hand the workings of the Portuguese trading system of slaving and barter” (Williamson 14). On August 3, 1492, Columbus began his journey to discover a shorter route to Asia across the Atlantic, which would create a substantial economic and strategic advantage for his country.
During his travels, Columbus encountered different lands populated by peoples unknown to him. At one point, the expedition’s largest ship, the Santa Maria, hit a coral reef, so Columbus decided to found the first colony there. The settlement was called Navidad and has later been destroyed by natives. Columbus then returned and killed the Spaniards “in revenge for their rapacious behavior” (Williamson 20). The story became increasingly violent as it continued, tensions grew between opposing groups, until eventually, the Spaniards have started a civil war.
Conclusion
The conflict with the native population turned into a large-scale conquest, which brought many casualties on both sides. In addition to regular violence, many people died from diseases that they have never encountered before. Those who did not take part in warfare still had to endure harsh conditions; many Indians were turned into slaves and viciously exploited. (Williamson 26). In some cases, such inhumane treatment made the workers lose their will to live.
References
Williamson, Edwin. “The Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus (1492–1504).” The Penguin History of Latin America, Penguin Books, 1992, pp. 14–38.
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