Consider the readings from the textbook up against what you've learned about colonialism from Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel. During the Age of Exploration, European explorers had the tendency to "dehumanize" or "Otherize" groups of people they encountered when those people looked different from them, spoke differently, worshiped differently, or lived differently. Now, we use the word Eurocentrism to explain this idea--that European cultures and civilizations are superior to others. Sadly, some of this thinking is still alive in our world today.
In this discussion, look for examples of dehumanization/ Otherization/ Eurocentricism in the works of Columbus and De Las Casas. Look for evidence of the ideas discussed in Guns, Germs, and Steel.
Compose an initial discussion post wherein you address the readings from this week. You should draw on the ideas discussed in Guns, Germs, and Steel to support your posts. As you draft your discussion post, consider the following:
What surprised you about the behavior of the explorers and conquistadors? What stood out to you about how they justified this behavior?
What kinds of language did the explorers use to dehumanize indigenous peoples?
Your initial post (200 words)