Document #1: Depiction of Taino Encountering Christopher Columbus
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| Detail from an engraving by Theodore de Bry, from 1592, which formed part of his “America-series”, showing Christopher Columbus landing on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola in 1492 |
Document #2: Marco Polo with elephants and camels arriving at Hormuz on the Gulf of Persia from India
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| c. 1415 By Boucicaut Master |
Document #3:
Historical Context:
Vasco da Gama was an explorer from Portugal. He was famous for being the first
European to sail to India. His expedition to India opened an ocean route from Europe to Asia for the
first time. By finding this route, Portugal no longer had to use the Mediterranean Sea, which was being
controlled by other countries. The route also made it possible to travel from Europe to Asia completely
by water.
Below is an excerpt from the first-hand account of Vasco da Gama’s exploration that landed him
in India:
Vasco da Gama: Round Africa to India,
1497–1498 CE
On the following day (May 22) these same boats came again alongside, when
the captain-major sent one of the convicts… who could speak Castilian and
Genoese… They asked what he sought so far away from home, and he told them
that we came in search of Christians and of spices… After this conversation they
took him to their lodgings and gave him wheaten bread and honey. When he had
eaten he returned to the ships, accompanied by one of the Moors, who was no
sooner on board, than he said these words: “A lucky venture, a lucky venture!
Plenty of rubies, plenty of emeralds! You owe great thanks to God, for having
brought you to a country holding such riches!” We were greatly astonished to
hear his talk, for we never expected to hear our language spoken so far away
from Portugal.
The city of Calicut is inhabited by Christians. [The first voyagers to India
mistook the Hindus for Christians.] They are of tawny complexion. Some of
them have big beards and long hair, whilst others clip their hair short or shave
the head, merely allowing a tuft to remain on the crown as a sign that they are
Christians. They also wear moustaches. They pierce the ears and wear much
gold in them… The women of this country, as a rule, are ugly and of small
stature. They wear many jewels of gold round the neck, numerous bracelets on
their arms, and rings set with precious stones on their toes. All these people are
well-disposed and apparently of mild temper. At first sight they seem covetous
and ignorant.
Document #4: Demarcation Bull, granting Spain possession of lands discovered by Columbus, 1493
Historical Context: Following Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Western Hemisphere, both
Spain and Portugal attempted to claim the land that had not previously belonged to a Catholic nation.
As Christopher Columbus had discovered this land for Spain, the Spanish monarchy was angry at
Portugal. King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella, of Spain, asked the pope to resolve the dispute.
Pope Alexander VI issued the Bull of Demarcation, a document granting Spain permission to claim
all non-Christian land located to the west of an imaginary line known as the Line of Demarcation.
Portugal was entitled to claim the land to the east of the line. Upon further exploration Portugal
appealed the location of the line, which essentially granted them no land to claim in the Western
Hemisphere. The line was moved by the pope under the Treaty of Tordesillas, allowing Portugal to
claim the land now known as Brazil.
Below is an excerpt from the Bull of Demarcation:
“Among other works well pleasing to the Divine Majesty and cherished of our
heart, this assuredly ranks highest, that in our time especially the Catholic faith
and the Christian religion be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread,
that the health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown
and brought to faith itself.
We have indeed learned that you [Spain], who for a long time had intended to
seek out and discover certain islands and mainlands remote and unknown and
not hitherto discovered by others, to the end that you might bring to the worship
of our Redeemer and the profession of the Catholic faith their residents and
inhabitants …you, chose our beloved son, Christopher Columbus… whom you
furnished with ships and men equipped for like designs …to make diligent quest
for these remote and unknown mainlands and islands through the sea[.]
They …discovered certain very remote island and even mainlands that hitherto
had not been discovered by others; wherein dwell very many peoples living in
peace, and, as reported, going unclothed, and not eating flesh.
In the island and countries already discovered are found gold, spices, and very
many other precious things of diverse kinds and qualities.
Moreover we command you in virtue of holy obedience that, employing all due
diligence in the premises …you should appoint to the aforesaid mainlands and
islands worthy, God-fearing, learned, skilled, and experienced men, in order to
instruct the aforesaid inhabitants and residents in the Catholic faith and train
them in good morals.”
Demarcation bull, granting Spain possession of lands discovered by Columbus]
Pope Alexander VI, Valladolio, Spain, May 4, 1493
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