Although at present the expression "the American dream" is identified with individual success and with the possibility that any immigrant who arrives in the United States has to succeed, according to Sara Chuchwell , professor of American Literature at the University of London, the reality is that its meaning has evolved over time:in 1900 it was synonymous with justice and economic equality; with the arrival of the First World War it was transformed into a longing for international democracy; in the interwar period it already had to do with personal enrichment, until the Great Depression that colored it with social justice; the Second World War turned it into a liberal democracy, the post-war period gave it a capitalist twist… and to this day. But as you know that I like to pull the thread and see how far it takes me, I have run into Francisco Roldán Jiménez , the first to put this "American dream" into practice back in the 15th century.
The best description of our protagonist is made by the teacher Juan Eslava Galán…
A native of Torredonjimeno (Jaén), the first revolutionary in the Southern Cone, the first coup leader, the first promoter of the American dream, the first defender of the welfare state, the first gangster, the first propagator of free love and the first who knows how many more.
This was Francisco Roldán Jiménez, quite a character. Although it seems that he was part of the contingent that took Granada in 1492, his adventure begins a year later on Columbus' second voyage to the American continent. Logically, in search of the land where they tied the dogs with sausages, where they had gold as punishment and the women were "beautiful and complacent." That of discovering new territories for the glory of the country and the evangelization of the indigenous people was something else. He wanted his piece of the pie from him, and so he ventured across the pond.
Second voyage of Columbus (1493-1496)
The first news they have as soon as they arrive in Hispaniola is not very encouraging:Fort Navidad, the settlement that Christopher Columbus and his men had built with the remains of the Santa María, had been burned down and its occupants executed. Even so, Columbus decides to found a settlement further east, which he will call La Isabela. This means that, for now, it was necessary to park the American dream and get to work. Although disappointed, Roldán decides to give himself a second chance and get his act together, especially when the admiral is nearby. As he also knows how to move behind the scenes, when Columbus sends the mayor of La Isabela to Spain to claim the payments owed to the sailors and the shipment of provisions, he appoints him mayor of the colony and, later, mayor of the entire island. The Spanish. Because of his new position and his camaraderie with the rest of the settlers, he became a kind of "defender of those who came to hit the ball and continue without land or gold." Everyone sent him their complaints, their miseries and, above all, the injustices and arbitrariness of the Columbus brothers, first Christopher and, when he returned to Spain in 1496, Bartholomew. So, in 1497, he tied the blanket around his head, stood in front of 70 malcontents cursing Bartholomew and shouting "long live the king" -for making it clear that they had nothing against the crown-, they took up arms and they went to the mountain. Well, in this case to the jungle.
Bartolomé Colón and Roldán
But since the nights outdoors in those parts are very hard, Roldán decided to join his cause, by hook or by crook, with several local caciques from the province of Jaraguá, who "kindly" provided them with food, shelter and easement. And the place was not chosen at random, since this area, according to the chronicler Hernando Colón, «had a reputation for being rich, populated and for being the women there more beautiful and more pleasant than elsewhere «. The American dream was taking shape. And, the truth is, he knew how to sell himself so that more malcontents would join his revolt...
Instead of hoes, you will handle boobs; instead of work, fatigue and vigils, you will have pleasures, abundance and rest.
According to Bartolomé de las Casas…
They went along with Indians who carried some large tree leaves to shade them and others some goose wings to fan them, followed by a train of Indians loaded like donkeys...
When Christopher Columbus arrived on the island on his third voyage (1498), he ruled out using force because he did not have enough men to face them. No one could beat Roldán's offer, and many men decided to put down the hoe to join the guru of the "American dream." So, he had no choice but to agree with them. A very favorable pact for the rebels:general amnesty, distribution of land and reappointing Roldán mayor of the entire island. Despite the agreement, they couldn't even see each other, but they bite the bullet and kept their alliance against other attempts at rebellion, Roldán to maintain his "American dream" and Colón for eternal glory.
By choice or by obligation, Roldán had to return to Castile. In July 1502, a hurricane surprised the return voyage flotilla and sank some twenty ships with more than five hundred victims.
… Francisco Roldán and others who were his henchmen drowned there, rebelling and who harassed and fatigued the people of this island so much.