Topic > American Values ​​from Columbus to Modern Times

From 1492, when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the new land, he had values ​​and laws. Many of which we still have today. Some of these values ​​were good, while many were not. Some of the values ​​Columbus had were their selfishness, strength, greed, dishonesty and imposing their religion and ways on the natives. The main three are their desire and gain in terms of wealth, how selfish they were, and how they forced assimilation onto the natives. Today these are values/things that still exist today to a large extent. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayFirst of all, Columbus and his crew cared only about wealth. Columbus and his crew went to the Americas for other reasons, such as land, but one of the other reasons people don't talk about his wealth. They went there hoping to gain wealth and valuables. One of the first things Columbus did when he set foot in the new land and when he saw the natives was trade with them. He traded with them hoping to get something good in exchange for something of little value. However, he had self-control when approaching their huts when the natives ran away. Instead of taking all their belongings, he left them there intact. He wanted to leave a good first impression on the natives so that they could exchange more things together. One of Columbus' diary entries reads: “I would not allow anything to be touched, not even the value of a pin. Immediately some men among them came to us, and one came very close. I gave him some bells and glass beads, which made him very happy and happy. That our friendship may be further strengthened…” This quote shows exactly what Columbus was trying to do. He didn't want to anger the natives, so he tried to be kind to them, hoping to get things of value in return. In today's society this is still what everyone only cares about. They only care about money and how rich they are. People don't care if they are kind, loving, and honest. Americans just want money. People now consider people good or bad depending on whether they have a lot of money or not. It's no good if they are kind, compassionate towards each other, and honest. Furthermore, people only do something if they get money or something of value in return. They won't do things for people anymore just to be nice, they want money in return. As you can see, money is an important value that both explorers and Americans now have. Another attribute that both explorers and Americans have is their selfishness. Both people then and now have this thing in common, they both only care about themselves and what they have. Christopher Columbus and his crew members scoured the island for gold, which is the original reason they set sail. They had heard that another land might exist and they wanted to be the first to find it and gain riches and gold from it. A quote directly showing this about Columbus says, "I desired to set out today for the island of Cuba, which I think must be Cipango, according to the signs these people make, indicative of its size and riches, and I have not delayed here any longer nor... around this island to the residence of this king or lord, and talk to him, as I had foreseen This shows exactly what Columbus thinks and what he values ​​most. He only appreciates what benefits him and appreciates what he can get from things. He is not trying to go to the other island because he wants to see the people and see what they are like, he wants to go and see what he can get from them. Also, he wants to see if there are good riches there andclaim the land as his own. This is what people do so much today. They only care about what benefits them and doesn't care about how it affects other people around them. People put others down just to make them feel good about themselves. People today worry so much about themselves and forget that sometimes it's good to help others just to be kind. Today, if there is a donut left over, a person will go and get it, instead of asking if someone else wants it and sharing it. He will go up there and bring everything for himself. This is the current state of almost the entire American population. Finally, both explorers and Americans today appreciate the fact that everyone has the same language and beliefs. At first the explorers, when they arrive in the new place, simply let the natives live as they are. Then, after they've been there for a while, they decide to try to convince them to believe the same things they believe and live the same way. When they let them live in the same way they do not disturb them except to trade with them. The explorers wander the land and receive help from the natives but do not try to change their way of life. But soon after they decide that if they get some natives, they can take them back to England so they can learn their way of life and then bring them back so they can show it to everyone else. This, however, is not what the natives think is happening. Because the Europeans just took the people and didn't explain what was happening. A quote showing this event says: “Yesterday a canoe with six young men came alongside us. Five of them came on board, and I ordered them to be seized and taken away with me... Often the men were brought from Guinea to Portugal to learn the language, and were given good treatment and gifts..." This quote shows forcing assimilation very well.It shows how Columbus is imposing his views and religion on these new people but not to the same extent. Americans are doing this to all immigrants. They are asking them to learn English and to follow the path of other Americans. They try to convince other people that whatever they say is the right thing, and when they can convince so many people they can force other people to do or believe the same thing. People now want everyone to believe and do the same things. As you can see, the strength of language and religion is also a value that both modern Americans and the explorers of 1492 had. Keep in mind: this is just one example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayExplorers and Americans are very similar in their beliefs about wealth, selfishness, and forced assimilation. Both Americans and explorers only care about wealth, this is one of the main reasons why Europeans went to the new lands. Americans are also very greedy for wealth, but otherwise they only care about earning money and wealth. They will work all day just to get richer. Both groups of people are also very selfish. Both will do anything to benefit at the expense of others. The Europeans did this by taking people and things only for themselves, without worrying about how it would affect the natives. Americans do this too today, they just take things and don't ask if anyone else wants it. The last major thing both Europeans and Natives do is force assimilation. Europeans do??