For many years throughout human history, many parts of the world have been transformed as a result of the rise of power. Colonization is defined as the creation and maintenance of unequal economic, cultural and territorial relations, usually between states and often in the form of empire, based on the domination and subordination of indigenous peoples. Although many argue that colonization is a natural path that a country must take to develop and emerge victorious, it is also important to understand that the process of colonizing a nation or country means a serious loss to the culture of indigenous peoples. With history being a key guide, we must understand that all actions have consequences and, by learning how people and culture are suppressed and silenced so that those in power make profits, we can also learn to prevent such horrible acts against humanity. When thinking of imperialism in a classroom in the United States, one almost immediately thinks of the name of Christopher Columbus, who became the icon of conquest escapades in the “New World.” In this essay, the culture of the indigenous people, namely the Taino, and their encounter with the Spanish colonizers, will be reviewed to better understand how the Taino were almost completely wiped out (or so it is believed) . The Spanish, notably Christopher Columbus and his men, marked the beginning of their disappearance. Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator born in northwest Italy. Under orders from the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Columbus (accidentally) undertook voyages to the New World, or what they thought was a new route to Asia, and eventually expanded the colonization of Spain (Wolf, 1982). These travels and his efforts... middle of paper ... appearances of both played a major role in the reactions of these two cultures when they collided. Works Cited Deagan, Kathleen. “RECONSIDERATE TAÍNO SOCIAL DYNAMICS AFTER THE SPANISH CONQUEST: GENDER AND CLASS IN CULTURAL CONTACT STUDIES.” American Antiquity 69.4 (2004): 597-626. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Internet. May 18, 2011. Gonzalez, J. Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America. New York: Penguin Books, 2000. (pp. 13 - 21). Hans Koning, “Up North: Virginia and Plymouth The Conquest of America: How the. The Indian nations lost their continent. New York: Cornerstone Books, 1993. (pp. 56 – 73). Lemonick, Michael D. and Andrea Dorfman. “Before Columbus.” Time 152.16 (1998): 76. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Internet. May 18, 2011.Wolf, Eric Robert. Europe and peoples without history. Berkeley: University Of California Press, 1982. (pp... 100 – 115).