Final answer:
During his 2nd voyage, Columbus sent various items to Spain as 'profit' instead of finding gold. Bartolome de las Casas was a Dominican friar who spoke against the mistreatment of Native Americans. It is important to learn about Las Casas' role in the first encounters with native peoples because his writings provide valuable insights into the atrocities committed by the Spanish. Zinn's portrayal of Columbus challenges the traditional narrative and presents a more critical perspective on his actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
During his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus did not find gold. Instead, he sent back several items to Spain to show his 'profit.' These items included plants, animals, various resources, and enslaved Native Americans. Bartolome de las Casas was a Dominican friar who spoke out against the mistreatment of Native Americans in the Spanish colonies. In his book 'A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies,' Las Casas described the brutality inflicted upon Native Americans by the Spanish. It is important to learn about Las Casas' role in the first encounters with Native peoples because his writings provide valuable insights into the atrocities committed by the Spanish colonizers. His work serves as a reminder of the violence and suffering experienced by Indigenous communities during the colonization period. In Howard Zinn's portrayal of Columbus' 'discovery,' he challenges the traditional narrative that presents Columbus as a hero. Zinn's perspective exposes the negative consequences of Columbus' actions, such as the destruction of Indigenous cultures and the exploitation of Native peoples. This portrayal offers a more critical and nuanced understanding of Columbus' impact. I believe it is essential to present a balanced view of Columbus that acknowledges both the positive and negative aspects of his legacy. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of history and encourages critical thinking.