Iole A. Apicella
During Columbus’ second voyage, in 1493, nine islands were discovered in the Caribbean Sea. Several accounts were given about such conquests. Some writings are by Columbus himself but others are by important writers and philanthropists of the time who included stories of heroism and abuses endured by the natives to attempt to awaken the inner feelings of the reader.
The lack of specific information about these islands, known all over the world for their beauty aroused my curiosity. Who were the original natives? Were they sociable or did they mistrust the newcomers? How did the newcomers treat the natives?
This unit will be therefore devoted to the islands of Haiti, Martinique and Guadeloupe with the purpose of widening the knowledge of the past, the fights for freedom on these islands after the conquest and the political and economic role that they played after their discovery.
