When Christopher Columbus, the 15th and 16th century conquistador, arrived in modern-day Haiti, he read aloud a proclamation designed by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain. The document was referred to as “the Requirements.” Here is one version:

I implore you to recognize the Church as a lady and in the name of the Pope take the King as lord of this land and obey his mandates. If you do not do it, I tell you that with the help of God I will enter powerfully against you all. I will make war everywhere and every way that I can. I will subject you to the yoke and obedience to the Church and to his majesty. I will take your women and children and make them slaves… The deaths and injuries that you will receive from here on will be your own fault and not that of his majesty nor of the gentlemen that accompany me.

How, if at all, does this statement reflect the political goals of the Islamic State? My forthcoming piece to be posted here will examine this question and explore the similarities and differences between the creation of America and the recent emergence of the Islamic State.