Spanish Perception of Native Americans Essay Example

pensions and other goods as promised from their documented discovery, as well as for recorded history to which we still use today. As the first major encounter between the Spanish and the Native Americans, Christopher Columbus’ journal serves as an informative record of the first views of the natives in the eyes of the Spanish.

Within the Journal, Christopher Columbus’ first line, “In order to win the friendship and affection of the people,” shows that the Spanish were putting on a fake, friendly mask in order to get what they were after. Approaching the Native Americans in armed boats showed that the Spanish prepared for violence and feared the worst rather than approaching with an initial desire to befriend the natives. Columbus also mentioned how they provided the Native Americans with caps and beads, which were the lowest quality items that they had with them to offer.

The Spanish view of the natives could not have been of very much intelligence, tricking them into receiving their lowest items of goods in contrast to the natives who must have brought their best items as gifts. In his journal, Christopher Columbus had also bluntly referred to the Native Americans as ignorant for grabbing the sword and cutting themselves. Without knowledge of an item, it’s natural to try to figure out what it is rather than have the Spaniards jump in to judge and critique the natives as ignorant men.

Lastly, the Spanish were quick in declaring their view of the Native Americans as slaves, quoted by Christopher Columbus, as they seemed to be quick at repeating the Spaniards and would fall soon into the

acceptance of Christ. Overall, the generic view of the natives by the Spanish was lower leveled men who were quickly judged to be followers of what was now claimed by the Spaniards. The description of the Native Americans in Christopher Columbus’ journal is very interesting as to how they are physically perceived versus mentally perceived.

As noted previously, the Spanish did not think very highly of the natives’ knowledge. Yet, when describing the natives in a vivid manor, the perfection of their bodies seemed to be perfectly in proportion for a man. It is important to see the arrogance of the Spanish as they were quick to judge and label them as “’good servants’” and calling them intelligent for the sole reason that the natives are quick to listen and follow as the Spaniards say.

It is fascinating how the Native Americans’ appearance is described in more detail and admiration than their knowledge and skill. Throughout the entire passage and journal, Christopher Columbus’ last line, “’They must be very good servants and very intelligent, because I see that they repeat very quickly what I told them, and it is my conviction that they would easily become Christians, for they seem not [to] have any sect…’” summarizes the main point of view, as seen by the Spanish.

It is very surprising to have seen such a thought of an entire race of humans in a matter of one encounter. I may have suspected that the Spanish viewed the natives as lower to their superiority, but even after just having landed on an island inhabited by these natives and suddenly claiming it for the

King and Queen, I did not see how they could picture the Native Americans as servants soon to come. Even without much defense in defending themselves, the natives had no choice after the Spanish had perceived what the Native Americans were like.

Life in this culture was not as diversified and equal as it is in today’s society. Where we have many equality rights today between different cultures and ethnicities, life for the Native Americans were not as fortunate. At the time Christopher Columbus had started writing his Journal, in 1492, life was looked at superior to one another within each group. This document showed the perspective focused from the Spanish, providing a very strongly biased paper for the Spaniards in their excellence.

From either side, life in this culture is focused on the advantages and benefits for one’s own self. Attempting to trade in the least valued possessions in return for the best they could get or the willingness to put down an entire group of people for materialistic goods and wealth is what life in the late fifteenth century was portrayed as. In the end, the Spanish had a positive outlook of what they would soon force the natives to accept as their fate.