When Christopher Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, he had earnest yet slightly skewed intentions for what was to become of this new resource for Spain. Columbus envisioned an opportunity to evangelize to the "heathen- natives, to provide another trade point with his mother country, and to learn about a vast extent of new flora and fauna, as well as fascinating cultures that were unlike anything the Old World had ever seen. However, very few aspects of these intentions were met. One of the strongest causes of this difference in objectives was Hernando Cortés. Hernando Cortés's sole purpose for the occupation of present-day Mexico was the conquest of the native peoples. Through brutal force and deception, both conscious and unconscious, he destroyed the native tribes, making the Aztec Empire his most esteemed prize. To further understand this change of plans, one must thoroughly analyze Columbus's intentions as well as Cortés contrasting actions.
It has become common knowledge that Christopher Columbus, who was granted permission to sail to the West Indies by Spain and her throne, claimed his primary goal was to provide a quicker trade route to this important trade depot to their east. As honorable as this reason is, since Columbus himself would not profit from this venture, one must look upon other reasons. Another viable reason for the journey is Columbus's general thirst for knowledge. This claim cannot be easily discarded, because Columbus has been described on several occasions as a "visionary genius- (Man & Myth). When arriving in what is believed to be San Salvador, he further persuaded Ferdinand and Isabel, the king and queen of Spain, to continue his work. First, he expressed an interest in learning from these strange new people. He brought back several specimens of flora and fauna that were alien to him. The scientist in Columbus got the best of him, and compelled him to return to the New World to further study the new wildlife.
