Making use of the connection between writing and power was one of Sarmiento's strategies. For him, writing was intended to be a catalyst for action. While the "gauchos" fought with physical weapons, Sarmiento used his voice and language. Sorensen states that Sarmiento used "text as weapon". Sarmiento was writing not only for Argentina but for a wider audience too, especially the United States and Europe; in his view, these regions were close to civilization; his purpose was to seduce his readers toward his own political viewpoint. In the numerous translations of "Facundo", Sarmiento's association of writing with power and conquest is apparent.