Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal. Free Essay Sample

Christopher Columbus from the journal explores his voyage of 1492. The significance of his journey is highly contested because, on the one hand, it explores the events that took place in late medieval and early modern Europe. On the other hand, it shows the impact of the journey which was characterized by diseases, ill-treatment, and flourishing of the transatlantic slave trade. The excerpts that stood out for me include;

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Thursday the 11th October of 1492 where he was steering west and to the southwest when he encountered a heavier storm that he had encountered before. An together with his crew they got refuge from a cane and a piece of the log which helped them sail through their journey. It stood out for me because it depicts how a team can work better than one person it also shows how in unity they managed to overcome challenges in the voyage. It made such an impression because in history the nations that were united made significant progress. He states "The crew of the Pinta saw a cane and a log; they also picked up a stick which appeared to have been carved with an iron tool, a piece of cane, a plant which grows on land, and a board. The crew of the Nina saw other signs of land, and a stalk loaded with rose berries. These signs encouraged them, and they all grew cheerful. Sailed this day till sunset, twenty-seven leagues."

Another important excerpt is in January where he is allowed by the highness to sail to India where he went to discover and acquire. It states "Your Highnesses, as Catholic Christians, and princes who love and promote the holy Christian faith, and are enemies of the doctrine of Mahomet, and of all idolatry and heresy, determined to send me, Christopher Columbus, to the above-mentioned countries of India, to see the said princes, people, and territories, and to learn their disposition and the proper method of converting them to our holy faith" . For instance, he discovered and acquired the ocean. It stood out for me because through it he starts his journey to the creation of wealth through the profitable transatlantic trade and also earning believers because he got a chance to convert the Indians into the Christian faith. It depicts his determination and a firm believer of Christianity as the true religion.

On Friday the 3rd of August Columbus arrived at his destination and went to report to the highness of the land of India. The sailor stated that he finally came to the place where he was to discharge his duties. It stood out for me because it marked the beginning of a brave journey of conquering not just by force, but he sought permission from the leader of the land. It depicts his obedience and wisdom at the same time.

Also, the extract that stood out for me is the day the land island of Lukayos was discovered after the long journey where they finally arrived on a Friday at two o'clock in the morning he states. "At two o'clock in the morning the land was discovered, at two leagues' distance; they took in sail and remained under the square-sail lying to till day, which was Friday, when they found themselves near a small island, one of the Lucayos, called in the Indian language Guanahani." It stood out for me because it shows their bravery in concurring the land of India and possessing it.

Similarly, the approach of the people in the extract also stood out for me because Columbus describes that the people gathered together and from the look on their faces they were friendly and welcoming. It implies that the crew was keen on the reactions of people so that they could use the most appropriate approach in converting them either by force or gently. The excerpt depicts tact in conquering new lands.

The interaction between the natives and the sailors is incredible, Columbus states that they immediately brought different items, for instance, javelin, cotton, parrots among others and they exchanged with what the sailors had Columbus states "Afterward they came swimming to the boats, bringing parrots, balls of cotton thread, javelins, and many other things which they exchanged for articles we gave them, such as glass beads, and hawk's bells;" It stood out for me because it is the beginning of the profitable trade relations between the Indians and Columbus Crew.

On the 13th of October Columbus discovered more avenues to explore a profitable trade in this land. He states that he was keen on what the natives were carrying so that he could establish whether they had gold and in what quantities. He further says that he saw what they were wearing and they had rings made of gold, and this gave him a hint that there could be gold in the land. It stood out for me because the sailors continue to pursue their interest in gently getting more valuable items.

On November 6th another new land concurs and here the people were laid back and full of culture. The sailors quickly interacted with them and had intimate relationships. It was a land full of gold, and they could exchange it with what they had in their boats. Again Columbus states that people were clueless and not warlike. It stood about for me because apart from the cordial relationship they had. They went ahead to have intercourse with the natives a sign of a more profound bond and perhaps the establishment of another breed.

In December the 16th Columbus narrates that the king came to visit them at their boat and one thing that stood out for he is the naivety among the natives as they regarded Columbus and his crew as people who came from heaven. It shows their nature of being submitted to the foreigners and that they would convert to Christianity.

Finally, the excerpt that stood out for me is that of the 6th of January where Columbus crew eventually find a place in the island where they could settle as they saw it favorable and near the gold mines. Columbus states "Thus I am convinced that our Lord miraculously caused that vessel to remain here, this being the best place in the whole island to form a settlement, and the nearest to the gold mines." It stands out because it marks fulfillment after a long search in the journey of the sailors.