At the time, Spain was integrating itself into the modern world and was mesmerized by the imminent mineral source of wealth: gold. Christopher Columbus was an expert sailor and used this to his advantage to voyage the seas in search of the alleged riches and gold found in Asia. In compensation, he would be awarded a percentage of the profits, land ownership, and the glorified title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea. Financially funded by the king with a fleet of ships and a moderately sized crew, Columbus began his voyage in search for the gold. The Spaniards went to extreme lengths to scour as much as gold on the islands and land masses they encountered often involving a large amount of deaths and killings of the inhabitants native to the land. However, as their mentality deteriorated with each cruel act inflicted on the Indians, they became adjusted and normalized this policy, as Morison harshly denoted, “genocide,” into …show more content…
Nonetheless, it is undeniable that the effect of these events have contributed to a significant era of progression in the world as a whole. The Indians were unaware of what was deemed modern knowledge of weaponry and ideal ways of living. Columbus’ exploits have contributed to their exposure to the modern world expanding their knowledge outside their secluded area of land. The deaths of the animals and the Indians were inevitable during the route due to unpredictable harsh weather: “When the weather turned cold, the Indian prisoners began to die.” These people were in captivity with the means of being sold as tradestock, but the large amount of deaths forced Columbus to search for other forms of compensation for those who had invested. Their methods in obtaining the gold were morally questionable as they cutted off the hands of those who did not have a copper token entailing to their uselessness. Gold was not an easily obtained metal so Columbus resorted to these forceful methods to rectify the