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Christopher Columbus Dbq Essay

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During Christopher Columbus’ lifetime, new technology and worldwide trade was in the process of being spread. Columbus and other European mariners searched for a trade route to Asia. This was one main reason for Columbus’ voyage to the New World. He was sent by Spanish king and queen, Ferdinand and Isabel. Additionally, religion played a big part in the everyday lives of people in the Iberian peninsula because of the Reconquista and Inquisition. In fact, the spread of Christianity was one of the main reasons for his exploration. Although Christopher Columbus contributed to the spread of Spanish agricultural techniques, like the use of iron tools and the cultivation of apple and pear trees, he is responsible for the deaths of many indigenous …show more content…

He first laid foot on Caribbean soil and encountered the Taino people, who densely inhabited the islands of Cuba, Trinidad, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. Justified by El Requerimiento, Columbus and other conquerors seized entire lands originally owned by natives (Document 5). Following this, he put the natives to work on extremely dangerous silver mines. Mercury, a toxic element to humans, was used to extract silver from the earth. As a result of this, many workers got mercury poisoning. In an effort to prevent their children from working in the mines, many families would mutilate their offspring. Haciendas, which were essentially Spanish plantations, also caused death and destruction to the area. Natives were used as the main labor forces on them and were treated as slaves. The harsh working conditions combined with the ruthless hacienda owners led to the death of hundreds of thousands of natives. Any natives with an intent of rebellion against the Spanish conquistadors were burnt at the stake (Document 7). The deaths of natives grew exponentially as time passed. In the years following Columbus’ voyages to the Caribbean, the entire Taino group was

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