Columbus Blog #8

Should Christopher Columbus be considered a hero or villain? Explain.

I remember back in fourth grade our teacher told us the truth about Columbus--that he wasn't the nice man who befriended the Indians and helped them take a step towards a more structured and modern society. We learned that he was a corrupt man who ransacked the Indians and stole their gold, but in my opinion I don't see him as a villain. During the time period this was normal. He might've been the first to travel to what he thought was India in 1492 and ended up discovering a new land altogether, but he wasn't the only one who treated them badly. The Spanish conquistadors also raided the New World and caused the extinction of Indian tribes throughout the land. Hernan Cortes was responsible for the entire downfall of the Aztec Empire. Columbus might've been the first to actually attempt to change and cause indirect ruin to the Indian tribes, but he wasn't the last. Spain's main goal during their voyages to the New World was Gold, Glory, and God. They were to get gold at all costs, bring back the glory of conquering land to Spain, and spread their religion to all they found, even if the natives didn't want to be converted. France also followed after their example along with other European nations. They wanted the new land that was up for grabs in the New World, despite it already being occupied. At least Columbus hadn't purposely sailed to the Americas in order to steal their gold and overpower the natives. The other conquering nations were blinded by their greed, the White Man's Burden, and their thirst for power. Some say that Columbus was a villain, but to a much greater degree he should be considered a hero. After all, he was the one who discovered the Americas. Although what came after their discovery wasn't the best part of history, America would have been lagging even farther behind in society without it being discovered. Eventually it would have been discovered, but the creation of its own nation and society would have been delayed by who-knows-how-many-years. The American revolution might not have happened in the year 1700 and the industrial revolution would have been thrown off. Everything we know today would be different if not for Columbus's successful failure in finding the land in 1492. I don't agree with Columbus's ways, but I consider him a hero for finding America when he did, even if by mistake. Without him, America wouldn't be the same nation is it today.