Who discovered America? By: Deanne Mastrocola Why is it that American culture today attributes its geographic discovery to a man named Christopher Columbus? Could it be that he was the first European to claim this land as part of an Imperialistic expansion or is it merely out of convenience for the history books? It is known that the American continent was populated by 1000 AD which is long before settlements by Viking fisherman and even longer before the arrival of Columbus. In spite of this…
Words 1253 - Pages 6
Rethinking Christopher Columbus: Explorer or Exploiter? For more than 500 years, the world has told itself a lie. People have praised Christopher Columbus, and celebrated his life as though he was someone who did good for us. We are taught that he discovered the Americas on a great voyage. We are told that he found great gold and jewels. But what did he really do to 'accomplish' these tasks? He slaughtered and enslaved the peaceful Native Americans who welcomed him and his crew with gifts. Columbus is…
Words 964 - Pages 4
Christopher Columbus, an American hero. He discovered America and helped form a new civilization. Or did he? Christopher Columbus is a villain because he killed thousands, manipulated many, and is currently looked down upon in many American cities. Christopher Columbus murdered thousands.On his journey for gold, Columbus caused a lot of collateral damage. He brought diseases like smallpox to the healthy Natives and also brought starvation by consuming all of their food (History.com Staff). Howard…
Words 727 - Pages 3
The celebration of Columbus Day on October 10 is a disgrace and an insult to any Native American and American that has ever lived. On this day Christopher Columbus is celebrated for “discovering” a new land, which would later become the United States. However, Columbus is by no means a hero or even should be recognized for being discover of the North America. How can one discover a land already discovered and inhabited by millions of natives (History.com). As being a Native American myself, I can…
Words 484 - Pages 2
Zachary Myrtetus Mr Michalski World History Period 1 11//11/2014 Christopher Columbus A Villain or A Hero Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. He was the first european to discover the americas and that is his most well known contribution to exploration. However Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated as hero for discovering the Americas but as a villain because he brought war and disease to the native people that killed millions. Bringing the overall population to approximately 60…
Words 409 - Pages 2
Throughout the world, Christopher Columbus is praised for his discovery of America. There are many statues, movies and books in his honor. He is recognized as being the first to discover America however, there were many others who discovered America first. Although Christopher Columbus has always been portrayed as a great hero in history there was a much darker side to him that most did not realize. Christopher Columbus announces his discovery of The New World in a letter to King Ferdinand and Queen…
Words 330 - Pages 2
and gave Christopher Columbus much more credit than he deserves. Christopher Columbus is not a hero; he did not really do anything but kill hundreds of thousands of people. Despite popular belief, Christopher Columbus did not discover America, he did not even know he was in American, and how can you discover a place that is already populated by entire civilizations. He believed that he was in India. He was not the first European in America either. Moreover, when he “discovered” America he proceeded…
Words 348 - Pages 2
I hate Christopher Columbus In school as early as first grade you are taught the person who first discovered america was Christopher Columbus the spanish explorer who eventually led to the founding of america. This is sally taught around columbus day and teachers make a big deal about it, but there has never been a man in history who has been more of a liar than him. First we need some background to fully understand this man's liying self. Columbus goal in his journey was to find a faster water…
Words 512 - Pages 3
From a young age, we are taught that we celebrate Christopher Columbus because he discovered America. When in actuality he didn’t discover America. He actually never stepped foot here! Despite many articles, books, and historically correct works this idea of Columbus remains alive in America. So why does America celebrate and glorify a cruel, murderous, failure of a man? To find the answer to this we have to start at the beginning. In 1492, Columbus, an Italian explorer, and his crew stepped foot…
Words 544 - Pages 3
sound of the “1492” poem. Kids are taught all about how Columbus discovered America with the help of his three famous ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. But why is Columbus day a national holiday? What is celebrated? Any 3rd grader can answer that, it is a national holiday to celebrate Columbus finding America. But it’s not quite that simple. Columbus didn't actually discover America. In fact, he never set foot on North America. His four voyages led him to Caribbean Islands and the…
Words 513 - Pages 3