what was columbuss initial misconception about the land he discovered? he recognized it as a new continent…

what was columbuss initial misconception about the land he discovered? he recognized it as a new continent he understood it was north america he thought he had reached india he believed he was in china how did columbus view the indigenous people he encountered? as potential servants to be enslaved as equal trading partners as advanced civilization as fellow explorers

what was columbuss initial misconception about the land he discovered? he recognized it as a new continent he understood it was north america he thought he had reached india he believed he was in china how did columbus view the indigenous people he encountered? as potential servants to be enslaved as equal trading partners as advanced civilization as fellow explorers

Answer

Brief Explanations:

  • First question: Columbus set out to find a westward route to Asia (specifically India). When he reached the Americas, he mistakenly thought it was India. He did not recognize it as a new continent (that was later realized by others like Amerigo Vespucci). He also did not initially understand it was North America or believe he was in China.
  • Second question: Columbus viewed the indigenous people as potential servants to be enslaved. He did not see them as equal trading partners (there was a power - dynamic of exploitation), nor as an advanced civilization (he saw them as “savages” in some respects, though he also noted some skills), and certainly not as fellow explorers (there was a hierarchical view of “discoverer” vs. “discovered”).

Answer:

  • First question: He thought he had reached India
  • Second question: As potential servants to be enslaved