Since Columbus was the one to have the first ever encounter with Native Americans, his observations and reactions obviously had greater significance than if others had interacted with the Native Americans before. But what happened after he “discovered” the Americas is more a matter of European identity. Upon seeing a different culture, Europeans developed the belief that they were superior, so even if Columbus hadn’t had those interactions, it’s very likely that another European would have. As Rowland said, it has a lot to do with Europe’s identity and reaction to “the other.” When Columbus observed the Native Americans without any indication of religion, law, language or clothing, he came to the conclusion that they were barbaric and uncivilized people. When comparing these characteristics to his own identity, one well-established and one he had always known, it made the Europeans feel superior. If Columbus didn’t react with these observations, then it is likely that others would have, given Europe’s identity. This identity developed because of Europe’s conditions at the time. As Angelica pointed out, Europe had just come out of a period characterized by stagnant social conditions and a new atmosphere breeding new ideas and expansionist thinking was emerging. This contributed to the future conquests and colonization that occurred after Columbus discovered the Americas, so Columbus’s actions and interactions with the native population were not what set things off on a course but it was instead inevitable because of Europe’s circumstances and identity at the time.
I agree with your point that Columbus' reactions to the Native Americans was likely a result of European identity (or the search for this identity). Columbus "discovered" America at a time when colonization and expansion were the viewed as the single most effective way to become a world power; the idea of globalization was just beginning to take hold. As a result, I believe that Columbus automatically assumed the belief that Europeans were superior to the Native Americans. This view was, naturally, somewhat fueled by the assumption that the natives were barbaric simply because they were different. At the same time, thinking of them as such allowed for justification for the actions of the Europeans (it is much easier to wrongly treat animals/barbarians than it is equal human beings).
ReplyDeleteI love it. I just comment this exact sentiment on someones else's blog. Columbus was simply the product of a culture that created monsters like him
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