False Views Of Christopher Columbus

In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail toward the new lands to find gold and other rich resources. He convinced the King and Queen of Spain to pay for his expedition in return he would bring back the gold and spices that were said to be in the Indies. The King and Queen as mentioned in the book said, “they promised him 10 percent of the profits, governorship over new-found land…a new title: Admiral of the Ocean Sea.” (pg.2) Zinn’s argument is about how History was told, he wants to make it a narrative of the people involved not the states.

Jack Weatherford, professor of anthropology at Macalester College, describes the misconceptions of Christopher Columbus and who he was as a person in his essay, “Examining the Reputation of Christopher Columbus”. Through his writing, Weatherford is able to show readers that Columbus was not the hero he is made out to be. Weatherford uses tools such as negative diction, juxtaposition, and facts in the form of evidence to support his claim.

In an attempt to get to Asia, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. His efforts were funded by Spain because, like Columbus, they wanted gold, wealth, and power. Columbus had ideas that Earth was smaller than it really was and was also unaware of the land mass that is the present day Americas. So when he thought he arrived at Asia, he was really no where close. During his expedition, Columbus and his crew came across many Native Americans, specifically, the Arawaks. They treated the natives terribly even when the natives were very kind to them. They took the natives as slaves, inflicted diseases upon them and tricked them. The natives offered them many things upon their arrival to

I am Kati. I am 15 years old. The year is 1445. I am among the five thousand Arawak people who live on Haiti and work for the Spaniards and Christopher Columbus. I live on Haiti with my sister Raya and my parents and other tribe members.

Children are often only taught that Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and discovered America. Though, only part of this is true, they aren’t taught about the awful man that Columbus was and the fact that he did not discover America. History should judge Columbus’ actions as they were. He was a cruel treasure seeker who focused only on enriching himself and would do anything to enrich and please the King and Queen.

When the name Christopher Columbus is mentioned what emotions do I feel? An adventurous spirit, the hope of new discovery, wonder? These would all be logical feelings based on what is taught about this man and indeed the time period around him. Adventure, wonder and discovery are staples of early American history, however the truth about what happened when Columbus sailed the ocean blue in the year 1492 is somewhat tainted by the realization that in his lust for gold and fame he committed some of the most terrible (and unfortunately forgotten) genocides in history. It isn't so romantic to think there is a national holiday celebrating a man who upon stumbling on a new world pillaged, plundered, raped, and ravaged an entire race to the point of those peoples near extinction.

In America, schoolchildren acknowledge Christopher Columbus as a hero. But every year on Columbus Day, the question remains; does this man truly deserve the title of a “hero”? Should the man who enslaved and killed over 3-8 million Natives be worthy of a vanilla historical figure for the eyes of America’s youth? The answer would lead to a simple no with proper knowledge and information. However, many people continue to admire Columbus today. For example, it is widely believed that Columbus proved the Earth was round by sailing to the New World. That claim would be false, for ancient Greek mathematicians have already proved the Earth was round. The Columbus flat-earth myth perhaps originated with Washington Irving's 1828 biography of Columbus;

Christopher Columbus was a villain, he was cruel and violent and should never be classified as a hero. Columbus was conceited and selfish, he had enslaved millions of Native Americans, and he had been brutal and violent to the Native Americans, in which were peaceful and nice to him and his crew. Columbus shouldn’t have the right to be excused from his crimes and celebrated for only his glories. He was inhumane and a barbaric leader, explorer, and person. Columbus was a terrible person and should be known as a villain.

The existence of controversy within history is a well known fact, with one of those controversies being how the colonization of America by European settlers should be viewed. Christopher Columbus is widely celebrated for his discovery of the New World, which opened up possibilities for Europeans who sought wealth and a new life. However, his enslavement of native populations and unethical tactics are not completely overlooked. Likewise, Hernando Cortés of Spain also claimed glory for his country, but at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Influenced by conflicting political and ideological factors, historians take on historical events through differing aspects. The multiple works on the early colonization of the Americas by Europeans

Columbus was a product of his time, and an agent of the inevitable. He was instrumental in the discovery of the New World; however, we cannot blame the man for all of the outcomes of the New World any more than we can blame a single person for all of the bad deeds of the world. Columbus has taught us many things, but most of all, that no matter what seemingly pure choices are made, there is always a negative. Columbus was simply a man who helped to shape our future by trying to fulfill his dream. I think that Columbus was a very greedy man, concerned only for himself. He brought many bad things to the New World, such as plagues, wars, and slavery, but he also brought his religion as well as exchange crops and animals between the two worlds. It is important for us to discuss this topic in class because it helps us to think critically, as well as learn more about the history of the United States of America. It is also important that we be able to listen to opposing views of a topic, take away key points from each argument, and make an educated decision as to what we

As I look back on my childhood and grade school growing up I remember being taught about the importance of Christopher Columbus. According to my teacher at the time he was an important person who discovered “America”. Being a child you are inclined to believe whatever an adult tells you. Is this information right or wrong? I’m going to say yes, because I don’t know any better.

Christopher Columbus is commonly known as the “discoverer” of the Americas. From a young age students are taught all the wonderful things he did for our land and how well he interacted with the Natives. Although the truth is disregarded and as students grow, they come to learn that Columbus was not a hero in fact. Columbus came close to causing a genocide of the Native Americans, and basically began the “white power” movement that America is forced to deal with today. The truth of what Christopher Columbus did makes him no better than Hitler, yet America still praises him as an important figure in our history. The actions of Columbus has impacted all Americans lives since the 1400’s when he first landed on American soil. Although it did make America into the super power it is today, the structure within the borders will never be equal because of his abuse of power back then. Christopher Columbus is not the hero American students are taught from a young age and does not deserve any of the praise or recognition that we as American citizens continue to give him on a daily basis.

All my life, I have been hearing about Christopher Columbus. Since little, first, my family talking about him, then in school learning about him. I really thought he was a hero. The way they teach you about him in grammar school or middle school makes you think he really is a hero. But later on, doing research on him, looking for what he really did, where did he came from etc. I realize that he is not a hero. There are many reasons why people think he is good as well there are many reasons why they think he is bad. Personally I think Columbus is a villain, he did a lot of bad things that most people don’t know a bout. However if they know them, it would make them think a little bit deeper if Columbus is the Hero

On Columbus Day students across the nation will learn how Columbus discovered the New World and about his fantastic travels to the New World. Children will learn poems, stories, songs and rhymes about his travels and about himself as well on this day. When introduced to Columbus as a young student he is portrayed as a respectful gentleman and as a hero, when in reality he is a selfish man who takes advantage of lesser people and schools should be teaching their students about who Columbus really was.

School taught us about the infamous Christopher Columbus who was known as the hero who found the Americas in 1492, but is that the truth? Is Columbus really the hero that grade school portrayed him to be? Columbus was not. Columbus was a greedy man who destroyed an entire race of people with genocide just so only he could benefit and become a man of money and power.