Columbus Synthesis

“Like other states of the modern world, Spain sought gold, which was becoming the new mark of wealth, more useful than land because it could buy anything.”

- Howard Zinn, A Peoples History of the United States

The increasing demand for wealth and power was the reason the Spanish Monarchy financed Christopher Columbus’ ambiguous, dangerous, and potentially fatal journey to the unexplored regions of the world. Columbus was merely the right person, in the right place, at the right time for such an expedition, or the first to attempt this feat. There is no doubt that in the near future, perhaps even Columbus’ lifetime, another explorer would attempt this conquest of uncharted land.

It is certain that the Americas would be discovered in this era because the ball was already rolling and there was too much fortune involved for it to ever stop.  Many explorers, such as Marko Polo, were discovering new lands, and obtaining great wealth all the time. Europe now craved much more power and dominance. The only reason Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand would invest in such a risky quest was that they hoped that it would result in wealth. This put pressure on Columbus to keep to his word that he would bring back what he had promised. In his journal he wrote, “But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest for them.” It is evident there was a powerful drive for these items, therefore if Columbus had not proposed the idea someone else certainly would. This desire for fortune was so current in the 1400’s through the 1500’s that someone would push the boundaries during this period of time.

So why was it Columbus who first entertained the idea of traveling the far end of the world if the conquest of the Americas was so certain? It’s simply because he was the earliest man with the passion for exploration to risk life and limb, to discover new parts of the earth (and not to mention, reap the benefits of wealth and fame along the way). Even at an early age Columbus was intrigued by the idea of exploration. In a Lincoln Reader Article by R.J. Boyle, it is described about Columbus that, “The stories the sailors told, of the strange lands they had visited and the curious things they had seen, made the boy wish to become a sailor, that he might see all of those wonderful sights for himself.” With this passion, it was Columbus who was fated to attempt that expedition.

Whether it be Christopher Columbus, or some other unknown explorer, for wealth, power, or domination, Europe would not cease expansion. The conquest of the Americas in the 1500’s was inevitable.  

Crash Movie

This movie gives insight on the stereotypes of different races in LA. This movie demonstrated that we automatically judge people by their race. An example would be when the young police officer assumed the young black man had a gun in his pocket. This just shows that we should not be to quick to judge people.

I think that racism has a lot to do with life experiences. The racist cop in the move had experiences that made him believe that people who are not white don’t have to work as hard in life, or are usually criminals.

Stereotypes are kept alive by both perceptions; the person who is stereotyped, and the person who perceives these stereotypes as real. In the movie Sandra Bullock becomes protective when she sees the two black men, thus enforcing the stereotype. The two black men also fulfill the stereotype by robbing the couple.

Not only do I think racism is natural, I think that it has a lot to do with the way you are raised. Racist people are not born in tolerant families.

Revolution Synthesis

The Declaration of Independence states that, “Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.” It is well known that the revolution was a result of Brittan becoming “destructive of these ends,” but did the colonies withdraw from England for this reason alone? The revolution was not entirely a result of the British Government failing to serve to people of the colonies, but more that they did not need the British. The American colonies were better off without being under the ruling of England. Brittan was holding back their potential of becoming more profitable and independent.

The biggest known reason for the revolution was the many taxes enforced in the colonies. Brittan, having already over taxed the people of England, looked to the colonies of North America for more financial support. The American colonies were living in the best conditions of any other society, according to historian Oliver Dickerson. Because of this, England took full advantage of their wealth. Starting in 1764 and continued well into the 1770’s, Great Brittan placed many taxes to bring themselves out of a debt caused by the French and Indian War. Taxes began with goods such as sugar and molasses (The Sugar Act. 1764), but expanded to more costly laws such as the Quartering Act in 1765, which required the colonies to house and supply British soldiers, or the Stamp Act, that required many paper documents to bear revenue stamps. Brittan was relying heavily on theses taxes to bring them out of debt. The rich men of the colonies were slowly paying off Brittan’s Debt. At this point the Government was no longer serving the governed, but rather the colonies were supporting the British Government.

Soon it became apparent to the wealthier population of America that the colonies did not need Brittan for support, so rather than having to withstand the taxes forced on them many of the colonists began to rebel. They believed that they could govern themselves and be better off than under the ruling of the crown of England. In his famous book, Common Sense, Thomas Paine wrote, “I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation of to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Brittan. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage is derived.” The colonies produced a great amount of tobacco, corn, and other goods that they could trade with any nation in Europe. They could break completely free from Brittan and still be self-sustaining.

Besides breaking free from taxes and becoming independent, the colonies saw potential fortune to the west of the continent. The only thing in their way was the boundaries set by England. “A peace was made, with the British agreeing to establish a line at the Appalachians, beyond which settlements would not encroach on Indian Territory.” (Zinn) This was an attempt to keep peace with the Native Americans. This boundary was known as the Treaty of Easton. If they could break free and become an independent nation, they could remove this boundary, opening their nation to a world of unknown profits. Many people without property were eager to claim their own land beyond the Appalachians.

The American Colonies saw a great amount of potential. They knew they had the makings of a prosperous nation. However, under the ruling of Brittan, taxes and restrictions confined them. The next logical step was to remove themselves from the British Government, and America could only grow from there.

December Exhibition

There is a junior exhibition Wednesday December, 7 at the Durango Discovery Museum. There, myself and other juniors will display projects from humanities and math. The exhibition will be from 5:30 to 7:00.