The Arawak showed extreme hospitality and showered Columbus and his men with gifts. Immediately Columbus demanded the crew to begin search for gold and took several of the natives prisoner only to learn the Arawak culture put no value on gold and did not posses any themselves. Convinced that the "New Land" did contain gold he sailed to the area now know as Cuba and then to Hispanola insisting that the captives could lead them to fortune. Once again Columbus and his men found no gold and the Arawak captives soon fell ill and died due to harsh conditions and weather. Columbus returned to Spain with little to show for his journey but weather worn ships and sailors ill with native diseases. To repay his debt to the King and Queen, Columbus embarked on a second journey to the new world. This time he was equipped with more ships and the intent to bring back gold and slaves. .
Attempts to sail natives back to Spain to be sold as slaves was unsuccessful. More than half died on the voyage. Desperate, Columbus forced all remaining Arawaks of a certain age to fill a quota of gold although there was no such gold to be found. Inability to fill this quota resulted in death. The Arawak were killed, or committed suicide by the thousands. By 1650 no Arawak tribes men remained the Bahamas Islands. .
Columbus" preconceived notions and selfish ways completely abolished the Arawak tribes. He was positive that they had something he wanted and he was willing to go to great lengths to get it. The Europeans had no conception that an entire culture would put no value on a resource, which they prized to divinely. As seen from the eyes of the Arawak, Columbus was nothing but a ruthless barbarian in search of personal gain. The Arawak social structure was based loosely on beliefs rather that a society governed enforced by written law. This was inconceivably possible to Columbus and immediately labels them uncivilized.