Christopher Columbus Not a Hero - 1057 Words

Have you ever wondered why America has had an annual holiday known as Columbus Day ever since the early 1900s? While enjoying the day off has the question of why an Italian explorer has a day dedicated to him in America ever occurred to you? Probably not, but every American with at least an elementary education has the general knowledge that Christopher Columbus is the hero credited with discovering America. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to even say that he is a national icon. In actuality, he’s far from being a hero. Although he did find a land that was unknown to the â€Å"civilized† world, his actions after the discovery illustrate no characteristics of being heroic at all. Born roughly around 1451 in Genoa, Italy, Christopher Columbus†¦show more content†¦First of all, Columbus was never respectful of the rights of the natives he encountered. As soon as he arrived there he showed no hesitation in naming the people â€Å"Indians† and differen t names for the various places and islands he went to. Also, noticing his huge advantage over the natives in the field of weaponry and technology, Columbus retreated back to Europe and prepared again to come back to America to take complete control over the â€Å"Indians.† However, Columbus’s destruction didn’t just stop at controlling the natives. When he arrived from his second voyage, he began exporting slaves in great numbers. And, Columbus didn’t persuade the Indians to become slaves for him nicely or barter with them for their services. In order to make them slaves, Columbus had to use cruel and harsh punishments to the natives who resisted him. To make an example of an Indian, he would cut off their hands and tie it onto a necklace around his neck. Columbus and his crew would kill so many slaves on the voyage back to Europe that it was rumored that one could follow a path of floating, dead bodies all the way from America to Spain. Rape was even con sidered a less violent act committed by them! Columbus and his men were the ignition to the fire that led to the destruction of the Indians, and yet, America celebrates Columbus Day? How is this when Indians can blame him for the increased extinction of their population? Not only does Christopher Columbus lack anyShow MoreRelatedChristopher Columbus Is Not A Hero Essay1610 Words   |  7 PagesChristopher Columbus is commonly known as the â€Å"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 â€Å"white power† movement that America is forced to deal with today. The truth of what ChristopherRead MoreChristopher Columbus As A Hero965 Words   |  4 Pages In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered America. He helped build implement a trade network between Europe (old world) and the America (new world). Which introduced new food and technology to both worlds. Although Christopher Columbus is recognized as a hero, who discovered the America and made it what it is today, his motives were to take all the valuable goods from the new world to the Spain. He have killed millions of natives. In 1492, when Christopher Columbus began to sail, he wanted to goRead MoreChristopher Columbus : A Hero Or Hero?1445 Words   |  6 Pages Christopher Columbus was he a hero or was he a villain? As attitudes change throughout the years and new discoveries are being made, history is constantly being rewritten. In the recent years, there has been much controversy over the â€Å"achievements† of the great admiral Christopher Columbus. There have also been many books, articles, and historians that have described him as â€Å"one of the greatest mariners in history, a visionary genius, a national hero, a failed administrator, a naive entrepreneurRead MoreChristopher Columbus As A Hero1211 Words   |  5 Pagescelebrate Columbus Day; whether Christopher Columbus, the man with a holiday named after him, the man who â€Å"discovered† America, was really hero. There are people who claim that Columbus was, in fact, someone to be celebrated. This is false. Christopher Columbus was, most blatantly put, a villain. He deserves this status because he did not discover the land now known as America, he forced his beliefs onto others, and he utterly destroyed the lives of unknowing, innocent people. Christopher Columbus is mainlyRead MoreChristopher Columbus : Hero Or Villain?884 Words   |  4 PagesRian White Crawford 3rd Christopher Columbus: Hero or Villain? In elementary school students are taught that Christopher Columbus is some godly hero who discovered that the earth was round and a shorter route to â€Å"Asia†. They even have a day dedicated to him. Typically, children are gullible and just believe what they are taught, rather than actually researching and learning the history on their own. As a child one’s brain is not developed enough to possess a sense of moral discernment. Also, childrenRead MoreChristopher Columbus As A Hero For The Discovery Essay1601 Words   |  7 PagesOn the second Monday in October we celebrate Christopher Columbus, for â€Å"discovering† the Americas. However, it was actually the Vikings were the first to discover America 500 years prior to Columbus. Since preschool all through middle school, children are taught that he was a great Spanish explorer who sailed to the Americas on the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria. In our textbooks we are taught that he helped prove that world was not flat, but many people had already began to realize that it wasRead MoreWhy Is Christopher Columbus A Hero1466 Words   |  6 PagesChristopher Columbus is best known for his voyage across the Atlantic where he accidentally discovered America. He paved the way for future exploration and set the course for history. Although Columbus is known as a historical hero for this discovery, he committed many awful acts along the way. Therefore, this writer concludes that Columbus was more of a villain than a hero. This researcher has reached this conclusion after examining many secondary sources including†¦(list sources)†¦ Important informationRead MoreChristopher Columbus Hero Or Villain1658 Words   |  7 PagesChristopher Columbus is an internationally celebrated explorer, due to his voyages to Central America during the Age of Discovery, a period between 15th and 16th centuries where explorers would be supported by countries to claim land. Columbus was an Italian explorer, on a conquest for gold and riches, who was sponsored by the monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, to travel to Southern Asia. Columbus proposed the idea of traveling from East to West, rather than travelingRead MoreEssay on Christopher Columbus: Villain or Hero?1521 Words   |  7 Pagesmore than five centuries Americans have lifted Christopher Columbus to heights of greatness and god-like. We celebrate his life as though he was a man that had done us a great favor. In resent years C hristopher Columbus has come under scrutiny, his life and works being questioned more than celebrated. There have be many great men and women that contributed to the building of our great nation but they do not receive anywhere as much recognition as Columbus. When a person begins to study the actual accountsRead MoreChristopher Columbus: Villain or Hero? Essay458 Words   |  2 PagesIn 1492, Christopher Columbus unintentionally discovered America, when he landed in the Caribbean Islands, while looking for a direct sea route to Asia. Despite the fact that Columbus believed he had found a direct sea route to India, he has been called the discoverer of America and hailed as a hero. More recently, however, he has been called a villain, with accusations saying that not only did he not discover America, but also that he was the cause of slavery and oppression in the Americas. These