by Josh Peffer

Created on: December 17, 2009

There are many behaviors that we associate with being “American.” Many people from around the world see Americans as being heartless people who only care about themselves. Many others also see Americans as being ambitious and always seeking for the next big thing to accomplish. But, how did we become like this? When in history did we start acting and behaving like Americans? I believe it can be traced all the way back to Christopher Columbus and his voyage to the Americas.

     Christopher Columbus wanted to find a shorter route to the Indies, but what he found, was the Americas. During the time of Christopher Columbus, every nation was fighting for power over who controlled the seas. And every nation was fighting over finding new lands to conquer and submit to their will. So, Christopher Columbus went to the monarchs of Spain, Isabel and Ferdinand. He presented his plan to them and they accepted. Isabel and Ferdinand were eager for new lands and wanted to beat the other nations in finding this faster way to the Indies.

Like the Spanish monarchs, Americans are always looking for “new lands to conquer.” Americans are always searching for the next big thing to accomplish and attempting to beat every other nation to it.

The Spanish wanted to profit from the trade routes they would establish to the Indies. They also wanted Columbus to “occupy” the islands he found for Spain.

     The monarchs wanted Columbus to “occupy,” or take at whatever the cost, the islands for Spain. This is a mindset that Americans have all of the time. In our business ventures throughout the world, we want to accomplish our missions with the most profit, whatever the cost. Whether the cost is loosing sleep because we are working too much, or if the cost is hurting our own economy for the benefit of our own company.

     This was the same mindset that the monarchs of Spain, and also Columbus, had at this time. Then when Columbus reached the Americas, he encountered many “Indians.” Upon his return to Spain, his procession to the royal court was lead by a group of Tainos, a group of Indians living on the islands of Hispaniola and Cuba, which were taken against their will. The Tainos were ornamented with many gold chains and decorations. The Spanish loved this. Columbus told the Spanish that there was much gold and other metals on the islands, even though there was very little

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