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If there had to be a colonial policy, it would only be for the purpose of conquering the Spanish Empire. At the time of Philip II such a policy was an empty dream. The lure of the tropical products was real enough, hence the interest shown in the West Indies which supplied tobacco and sugar, thus providing a way to motivate the monarchy financially. However too many obstacles stood in the way of any initiatives. Carib resistance, competition from buccaneers and other rivals, each of whom seized an “island”—all this put a damper on profit-making.

The overseas Frenchmen felt it was intolerable for them to be obliged to justify their preeminence over the natives in the eyes of the mother country. The dichotomy between imperialism and the nation became apparent when the fate of the Bretons, the miners, the Welsh or the victims of war ceased to be at the centre of political life, which instead shifted to Fashoda or to Bechuanaland. Colonial expansion became the solution to all internal problems: poverty, class struggle, overpopulation. It was flaunted as representing the common interest, as being above parties.

But as soon as they resisted being despoiled any further, Columbus deemed it proper to subdue them —if need be, by the sword. ” Those who were not yet Christians could only be slaves. Women shared the same condition, as can be seen from the story told by Michel de Cuneo, a companion of Columbus. While I was in the boat, I seized a very beautiful Caribbean woman. Having brought her to my cabin and as, according to their custom, she was naked, I got the idea of enjoying myself. I tried to put my desire into practice, but she did not want to oblige and belaboured me with her nails in such a fashion that I wished I had never started.