History Reading Chapter 2

1.What conclusions can be made about the Arawak, their culture, and temperament?

The Arawak of the Bahama Islands were similar to the Indians on the mainland they shared the same hospitality and belief in sharing. According to this article, Arawak had a very gentle culture. It was characterized by happiness, friendliness, innocent, agile and highly of hospitality.  Contradicted with the Renaissance European lifestyle, the Arawaks' life was much more liberated. They had "no religion, at least no temple," and no marriage laws.  Their involvement in battles among the tribes was not forced by any military organization but only encouraged by personal determination. In conclusion, the Arawaks' culture and temperament were quite peaceful and unregimented.

2.What was Columbus promised if he was successful in his exploration attempts?

Columbus was promised by ten percent of profits, governorship owner new-found land, and the fame that would go with a new title: Admiral of the Ocean Sea and it was given by Spain realm.

3.Who was Rodrigo and why is he significant?  Have you ever read or known of Rodrigo before reading this chapter?  If not, why do you think that is?

Rodrigo was a sailor in Columbus' expedition crews. He was the first person who saw one of the Bahama islands in the early morning of October 12, then immediately notified the crews. Actually, Rodrigo was the one who discovered the continent of America. I have never known Rodrigo before reading this chapter. The main reason is because most of the history textbooks mention Christopher Columbus as the American discoverer.

4.Why did Columbus think the Arawak Indians had large amounts of gold?

 First, when reached the Bahama island, Columbus assumed that he had arrived in Asia, where was thought full of gold. Then, the crews were greeted by the Arawak who "wore tiny gold ornaments in their ears." Moreover, Columbus' imagination of a gold mine was inflated even more by a slight vision of gold in the river while sailing to Cuba and the gold mask gift from an Indian chief. Also, it's important to understand that Columbus' main purpose of this expedition is to find gold, and the promise of fortune, fame, and power had reinforced his tunnel vision for gold.  

5.What was the ultimate fate of the Arawak Indians?

The ultimate fate of Arawak Indians is genocide. At first, the expedition crews imprisoned the Arawak Indians and ordered them to collect a certain amount of gold daily. Whoever didn't meet the gold quotas would get their "hands cut off and bled to death," and whoever tried to escape would be hunted and killed.  Also, while roaming the land, the crews took women and children captives for sex and labor. Then, to make up for the lack of gold, they rounded up hundreds of Arawak men and shipped to Europe for sale. Even though the Arawak attempted to fight back, their simple weapons, armors, and tactics were no match for the European guns, horses, and deceptions. By the year 1650, it was reported that "none of the original Arawaks or their descendants left on the island."

6.How did Columbus receive the reward of a second expedition?

With his tunnel vision for fortune, fame, and power, Columbus only saw gold when first arrived at one of the Bahama islands. Plus, he believed that it would be an easy job to take the gold from the natives as he stated in his report that if  "you ask for something they have, they never say no." At which point, he send a report that full of promises and exaggerations to his sponsors for a second expedition.

7.In what ways did the Arawak Indians resist/fight back the Spaniards?

The Arawak first opened their arms to welcome the European crews. Yet, once the cruel intent of these voyagers spread across lands, these Arawak Indians quickly evacuated their towns and left them empty for the troops to find. For the enslaved Indians, they tried to flee but got hunted and killed. At one point, the Indians also tried "to put together an army of resistance," but was easily defeated by the "Spaniards who had armor, muskets, swords, horses." Eventually, every attempt of defending themselves of the Indians failed.

8.What does LaCasa's views of Columbus and the Spaniards offer to the study of history?

La Casa's view of Columbus and the Spaniard offer an opposite sight of the victorious expedition to the land called America. La Casa felt compelled to oppose and denounced the atrocities committed against the Native Americans by Colum bus and the Spanish. He offers to the history is only one side view from the victims- the Arawak Indian.

9.What is genocide?  How does it connect to the story of Columbus and the Arawak Indians?