d fortress to be built in these parts, and these lands converted”. Sale didn’t see a reason for Columbus to want to build a fortress. Columbus hadn’t become friendly with all the Indian tribes, he may have thought that somewhere in the New World there was a threat to his small settlement. Building a city and a fortress doesn’t make him an imperialist.Columbus did use poor judgement in some respects, but that alone doesn’t make him an imperialist. “If we wish to task Columbus for all the asymmetries that ensued, we should credit him as well for this initial attempt, later repeated by many Spanish governors and theologians, to find some just route through the thicket of massive cultural difference.” To me this quote means that while Columbus mishandled some matters in his dealings with the Indians, he also attempted to bridge the “cultural differences” between the Spanish and the natives. In his journal, Columbus said, “Your Highnesses may believe that in all the world there can be no better people or gentler people… for neither better people nor land can there be… All the people show the most singular loving behavior and they speak pleasantly.”. In fact, Columbus became very close to King Guacanagari; they enjoyed each other’s company and even exchanged gifts. Guacanagari was so fond of Columbus that he asked that he and his brother be allowed to accompany Columbus back to Castile. When it came time to leave, Columbus gave his men this order: “…avoid as you would death annoying or tormenting the Indians, bearing in mind how much you owe these people”. I think this shows that Columbus had nothing but respect and gratitude for the Indians. Felipe Fernandez-Armesto said, “Columbus and his successors were guilty only of applying the best standards of their time”. Robert Royal makes a good point when he says “if w...
