The Spanish were not only a more advanced culture in terms of medicine anywhere in the conquest to the New World, but understood that people did not have the same infrastructure and could not mount a reasonable resistance. .
After repairs and being resupplied, the Spanish moved westward towards the CARIBS. The Spanish first made contacts here with the native TAINOS of the Caribbean in the summer of 1492. Making landfall on what we know as the Bahamian archipelago on his first voyage, the Spanish were in search of precious gold for the Castilian Crown. This voyage marked the first time in history that the Americas were colonized and will bring forth a new period in time for the Spanish that would bring them the gold that they were looking for. During the latter portion of his first voyage, he landed on Hispaniola where on approach to land to anchor up in a harbor, one of the ships were lost and men had to be left behind due to insufficient space. These men became the first settlers of the new world. When Columbus returned to the colony La Naviad, he discovered his men were slain. Upon questioning he found that his men were killed because of the mistreatment of the local population. It was not uncommon for the Spanish to pillage the native villages for their food, or taking the dwelling for their own. Actions such as abuse and rape of women were among the reasons being killed. When the Spanish found gold on the island, Columbus immediately sent home for resupply. During this time, the Spanish were enslaving the indigenous people, making them labor for long hours in gold mines. The natives to Hispaniola were not trained in military tactics which made enslaving them quite easy. The conditions and treatment the ARAWALK people were subject to on Hispaniola were direct cause to the death of nearly all of the indigenous population. Furthermore, mere contact with the Spanish also contributed to the massive death rate for the people of Hispaniola.