The world is ever increasing with the new discovery of Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus. The once known world has just expanded into two types of land: known and unknown. The voyages of both Columbus and Vespucci took place in the late-1400s. Columbus was a Spanish explorer tasked to find a westward passage to the Indies. Vespucci was an Italian explorer tasked to discover new land and bring back riches from untamed territories. Columbus’s voyage started in 1492, from Spain to the Caribbean island.
During my voyage with Christopher Columbus, we have discovered new civilizations and territories. Some occupied by the natives and some deserted. As Columbus come across new lands, inhabited or otherwise, he named these islands. What the Indians called Guanaham, Columbus named it San Salvador (Columbus, 1). We approached on an island, which Columbus called La Espanola. This island had tall mountains, shielded by trees that could touch the skies. Its meadows and fields seem perfect for sowing and planting (Columbus, 1).
In addition, the location was ideal for building a settlement. Rivers scattered across the island bearing huge deposits of gold. The residents of this island were unique. The natives wander in little to no clothing. They do not have steel or iron. The natives, although, not following a God or idol, believe that all righteous things go or come from heaven. Luckily, they believe that Columbus and his men came from this heaven. The natives’ belief goes as far as to worship Columbus, his crew and I.
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With a relationship built, Columbus captured some natives, to eventually be able to converse and gain more knowledge of the island. Columbus’s voyage leads to gold mines, spice trade, and the spread of Christianity (Columbus, 3). Vespucci’s voyage, on the other hand, was different in certain aspects. The lands Vespucci and his men discovered were filled with unique tribes, different species of animals, rivers, and fruitful trees. Each tribe had its own unique culture and way of life. Newly discovered animals differ greatly from ours back in Europe (Vespucci, 15). Even, the landscape did not resemble anything in Italy. Vespucci’s voyage began in the mid-1497, on the tenth of May. Four ships embarked on a journey to find new land. After thirty-seven days, Vespucci made his first stop at the mainland.
After docking, the natives of the island appeared. Our attempt to show peace did not affect the shy natives, they would run at any of our attempts of greeting. To establish communication with the natives, we first had to give them some of our processions. This led to a friendly relationship with the natives. The natives here, like the one Columbus encountered, were naked. Their skin was darker in tone and they could swim and run faster. The native in the mainland difference greatly in culture, ideas, and politics. They have no courtship and no justice is being served (Vespucci, 6). Parenting is very minimalistic. They are not armed with iron or steel. They dwell in huts that can accommodate up to several hundreds of people. In one case, one hut contained six-hundred natives in it. They live with no commerce and are satisfied with what they are offered (Vespucci, 8).
The native’s ritual for burial and victory are very barbaric compared to our own. Their culture and the riches, gold, of which the natives possess, will be beneficial to the voyage. The natives vary as a tribe and group. Some natives provide deep insight into their everyday life, while others become hostile and try to engage in combat. After Vespucci, his crew, and I docked and interact with the natives, we traveled along the coast meeting many other native tribes (Vespucci, 15). A tribe showed signs of cooperation, but then suddenly attacked the ship with bows and arrows. The natives possess severely inferior weaponry than our armed soldiers. Any signs of hostile behaviors were quickly shut down by our superior weaponry. Many of the natives worshipped our white skin and treated us better than their neighboring tribes. Warfare between the natives was common. Like us, the natives are emotional driven and will do everything to protect their values
. As Vespucci’s voyage concludes, He, his crew, and I leave the mainland to the city of Lisbon with an abundance of knowledge of the natives and the land in which they reside. Voyages made by Columbus and Vespucci were crucial for the expansion of humans. New knowledge of the natives and their culture would lead to an era of exploration and interaction. As Columbus states “in accordance with the events” during the voyage, the benefits “will bring great refreshment and gain, not only to Spain, but to all Christians.” (Columbus, 3)
