"Arawak men and women, naked, tawny, and full of wonder, emerged from their villages onto the island's beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat. When Columbus and his sailors came ashore, carrying swords, speaking oddly, the Arawaks ran to greet them, brought them food, water, gifts." From Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress, A People's History of The United States. In 1492, the Europeans went on a conquest to gain more power for their country. They wanted to spread their religion to other regions of the world. Europe conquered Latin America and Africa (Aztecs and the Incas) because of their thirst for glory and knowledge. Their geography also helped because they had materials to advance them; their civilization starting earlier than the Latin Americans and the Africans also helped them because they had better technology, such as iron weapons and immunities to...