How did Columbus communicate with the islanders? Do you think they under- stood each other well? Why or why not?

They had a language. And Columbus had people with him, who had been experts in communication, and quickly established a basic communication which was constantly expanded. Most of the people he encountered on his voyages were Tainos/Arawaks, who were using one language, which was even phonetic and had a quite logic grammar. With the other tribes like Caribs and Siboneys he had none or only hostile encounters. He took three Arawaks back to Spain from his first voyage. They were very good navigators, and had already learned the Spanish language.

urbanities in the northeast and midwest lost political power.