Journal #15 Columbus/De Vaca:

QUESTION:

What was the role of slavery in the works of Columbus and De Vaca?


RESPONSE:

Although slavery is nothing new at the time, Columbus assumes that he has claimed all of the natives in the West Indies as slaves for his country just by arriving on the islands. However, De Vaca recognizes the Native Americans as people with a different way of life, but generous people undeserving of being turned into slaves. Both Columbus and De Vaca travel to America, come into contact with the natives, and in a way witness first hand what a certain aspect of being a slave might be like. They both have completely different views of the native Indians, but both Columbus and De Vaca leave under arrest.

While Columbus views the natives as being assets that he can claim for his country, he ends up “thrown into a ship, laden with fetters, stripped to the skin, very ill-treated, and without being tried or condemned” (Columbus 34). Columbus ends up being treated like an expendable asset, much like slaves are treated. It could be seen as ironic, or in Columbus’s eyes, seen as a great injustice considering what is rightfully his.

De Vaca, on the other hand, who tries to let the Native Americans remain free, ends up being taken under arrest by the Christians. It seems that the “powers that be” decide whom they want to be free, and who shall be slaves or at least who will have their lives ruined in a way.