The Trial The Trial of of

ChristophChristopherColumberColumb

usus

Case BackgroundCase Background

• Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain on set sail from Spain on August 3, 1492.August 3, 1492.

• King Ferdinand and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain Queen Isabella of Spain sponsored Columbus’ sponsored Columbus’ voyage.voyage.

• He was to find a new He was to find a new route to the East Indies.route to the East Indies.

• He was to bring gold and He was to bring gold and riches back to Spain.riches back to Spain.

Case BackgroundCase Background

• Three ships in Columbus’ Three ships in Columbus’ Voyage:Voyage:– Nina, Pinta, Santa MariaNina, Pinta, Santa Maria

• They sailed into They sailed into uncharted waters.uncharted waters.

• They had to ration water They had to ration water and food.and food.

• On October 10, The Crew On October 10, The Crew became Mutinous…They became Mutinous…They wanted to turn back.wanted to turn back.

• On October 12, they On October 12, they spotted drift wood and a spotted drift wood and a sea gull…”Tierra, Tierra!”sea gull…”Tierra, Tierra!”

Case BackgroundCase Background

• Christopher lands on Christopher lands on the New World on the New World on October 12, 1492.October 12, 1492.

• He landed in the He landed in the Bahamas…Modern-Bahamas…Modern-day Dominican day Dominican Republic & Haiti.Republic & Haiti.

• They named the land They named the land Hispaniola. Hispaniola.

Case BackgroundCase Background

• When Columbus landed in the New World, he encountered the “Taino”.

• He would begin trading with the Native Americans.

• He would not find the many riches and gold that he had hoped.

Case BackgroundCase Background

• Columbus would Columbus would return to Spain and return to Spain and make 3 more voyages make 3 more voyages to the New World.to the New World.

• Columbus would set a Columbus would set a Tribute system with Tribute system with the Taino Tribe.the Taino Tribe.

• The Natives would The Natives would become enslaved and become enslaved and gather gold and gather gold and spices for Columbus.spices for Columbus.

Case BackgroundCase Background

• The Taino Population began to reduce once the The Taino Population began to reduce once the Europeans arrived.Europeans arrived.

• The reduction was due to murder, enslavement, The reduction was due to murder, enslavement, and disease.and disease.

• Taino Population:Taino Population:– 14921492 3 million3 million– 14931493 1.2 million1.2 million– 14941494 1.1 million1.1 million– 14951495 650,000650,000– 14961496 275,000275,000– 14971497 15,00015,000– 14981498 1,7501,750

Charges Against ColumbusCharges Against Columbus

• Christopher Columbus is charged with the Christopher Columbus is charged with the following:following:

• The Enslavement of the Taino PeopleThe Enslavement of the Taino People

• The Stealing of artifacts from the Taino.The Stealing of artifacts from the Taino.

• The murder of thousands of the Taino.The murder of thousands of the Taino.

• The use of genocide.The use of genocide.

Prosecution’s StatementProsecution’s Statement

““Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I intend Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, I intend to prove that the defendant, Christopher to prove that the defendant, Christopher Columbus, is guilty of the enslavement of Columbus, is guilty of the enslavement of the Taino People and the murder of the Taino People and the murder of thousands. While most believe Columbus thousands. While most believe Columbus to be hero, I will prove that he used to be hero, I will prove that he used enslavement and genocide to fulfill his enslavement and genocide to fulfill his ruthless greed. You must find the ruthless greed. You must find the defendant guilty of all charges.”defendant guilty of all charges.”

Defense’s StatementDefense’s Statement

““My client is charged with murder and My client is charged with murder and enslavement. Firstly, I must say that Columbus enslavement. Firstly, I must say that Columbus only traded with the Taino People. It was his only traded with the Taino People. It was his jealous crew who makes the claims that he jealous crew who makes the claims that he enslaved the Natives. He did use them as enslaved the Natives. He did use them as workers, but he treated them very well. workers, but he treated them very well. Secondly, it is a tragedy that many of the Taino Secondly, it is a tragedy that many of the Taino Tribe died. But it is not at the hands of my client. Tribe died. But it is not at the hands of my client. Most of the Natives died of disease. It is Most of the Natives died of disease. It is obviously impossible to blame my client for that obviously impossible to blame my client for that act of God. You must find my client Not Guilty.”act of God. You must find my client Not Guilty.”