When we started our Ib unit Where We Are in Place and Time I knew that explorers impact the cultures they come upon. Now I know a lot more about exploring. I know about the sails of old ships, I know about Christopher Columbus's four voyages to the New World, and now I also know why people don't explore. But now I wonder about many new things. I wonder about the ranks on a old boat, I wonder about why the Indians so willingly let the Europeans take over?
The Indians thought that Columbus's crew were men from God. They thought the crew were great men.They swam out to the ships just to wave. The Indians gave the crew gold for junk.
Later the Indians thought Columbus was a cruel, cold-hearted, dictator. They ran when they saw him. Sometimes they even put up a fight. The ones who did were cut down. Columbus thought of the Indians as cowards and slaves. He said at one point that the Indians could be easily cowed. Pedro thought of Columbus as a great man until he forced natives aboard and made them Spanish slaves. Pedro said that he could not bare to look at the Indians. Pedro thought they were beautiful, graceful, peaceful, people. Pedro likes being on the sea but he says he would rather be lost at sea thatn detaining Indians. He said," I think being lost at sea with no end to our journey would be better than this." |