Introduction
In Columbus’s Journal, the author describes the Native Americans he encounters as “loving and friendly” people who are willing to share their resources and offer assistance. The publicist also notes their physical appearance, praising their “fine shapes” and “handsome faces.” These positive descriptions reflect the European value of civility and admiration for physical beauty. However, the author describes the Native Americans as “simple-minded” and “easily tricked.” He notes their lack of weapons and technology, suggesting that they are inferior to Europeans.
Main body
These negative descriptions reflect the European value of superiority and a belief in the superiority of European culture. In Cortes’s Second Letter to Charles V, he describes the Aztecs as having a highly organized society with impressive architecture and engineering. He notes their advanced knowledge of agriculture and medicine, reflecting the European value of knowledge and innovation. However, Cortes also describes the Aztecs as being cruel and barbaric, engaging in human sacrifice and cannibalism. He portrays them as a threat to European civilization, justifying his conquest of their society. These negative descriptions reflect the European value of civilization and a belief in the superiority of European culture.
It is important to note that Columbus and Cortes were not objective observers of Native American societies. Their descriptions were shaped by their own cultural biases and the political and economic interests of their respective countries. They were part of a larger colonial project that sought to exploit and subjugate Native American populations for European gain.
Conclusion
Overall, both Columbus and Cortes display a mix of positive and negative descriptions of Native Americans, reflecting European values of civility, physical beauty, knowledge, superiority, and civilization. However, these values are often used to justify the exploitation and conquest of Native American societies, perpetuating a legacy of colonialism and oppression.