Question

Most High and Mighty Sovereigns, In the first place, as regards the Island of Espanola: Inasmuch as the number of colonists who desire to go thither amounts to two thousand, owing to the land being safer and better for farming and trading, and because it will serve as a place to which they can return and from which they can carry on trade with the neighboring islands: 1. That in the said island there shall be founded three or four towns, situated in the most convenient places. . . 2. That for the better and more speedy colonization of the said island, no one shall have liberty to collect gold in it except those who have taken out colonists' papers...4.That there shall be a church, and parish priests or friars to administer the sacraments, to perform divine worship, and for the conversion of the Indians. 5. That none of the colonists shall go to seek gold without a license from the governor... of the town where he lives; and that he must first take oath to return to the place whence he sets out, for the purpose of registering faithfully all the gold he may have found. . . to render account and show the quantity of said gold... 6. That all the gold thus brought in shall be smelted immediately, and stamped with some mark that shall distinguish each town; and that the portion which belongs to your Highnesses shall be weighed, and given and consigned to each governor in his own town. . . so that it shall not pass through the hands of only one person. . . and there shall he no opportunity to conceal the truth. 7. That all gold that may be found without the mark of one of the said towns in the possession of any one who has once registered in accordance with the above order shall be taken as forfeited, and that the accuser shall have one portion of it and your Highnesses the other... Columbus' Letter to the King and Queen of Spain, 1494

The passage from Columbus above suggests which of the following?

Answer 1

Columbus's letter outlines plans for systematic colonization, regulated gold mining, and religious conversion of indigenous people, reflecting the exploitative Spanish strategy in the Americas.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage written by Christopher Columbus in his letter to the King and Queen of Spain in 1494 suggests a structured approach to colonization and exploitation of resources in the New World. Columbus outlines a vision for the orderly expansion of Spanish settlements with specific guidelines governing urban development, gold extraction, and the spread of Christianity among the indigenous populations. The use of licenses for gold-seeking, regulation of gold with unique markings, and provisions for worship and conversion efforts reflect a planned and exploitative economic strategy imposed on Hispaniola, mirroring the imperial intentions of Spain in the Americas.