Columbus Desired The Conversion Of Christianity Over Non-Religious Cultures

Another motive for setting sail on his voyage was that Columbus desired the conversion of Christianity over non-religious cultures. He encountered the Taíno, who where the first Native Americans he was in contact with. They were part of the Arawak language group, and their world was stretched a thousand miles across the islands of the Caribbean. His immediate thought was that they had no religion, so it would take no effort in converting them to Christianity. Columbus saw the Taíno as a way to expand his personal wealth, so, “He selected 500 to be exported to Spain as slaves, and 500 to serve as slaves to the Spanish on the Island. He proudly boasted to the Spanish monarchs about the slave potential and its economic benefits. He would also