We all remember how the old elementary school rhyme goes "Christopher Columbus sailed to ocean blue in 1492." Christopher Columbus, the guy we can thank for a day off of school, the incredible guy who we give credit to finding America, but was he really such a great guy? When Christopher Columbus arived in America for the first time he did not treat the Native American's very well. He wrote in his journal "They should be good servants .... I, our Lord being pleased, will take hence,
at the time of my departure, six natives for your Highnesses." On his second voyage to America, he sent many Native Americans back to Spain to be used as slaves.
On arrival in the Indies, Colmbus had taken "some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts." What he wanted most, was gold and treasures since he was entitled by the King and Queen of Spain to 10 percent of all profits.
Overall, Christopher Columbus did not respect the Natives. He even went as far as destroying Native Communities. Even though Columbus' arrival was hazardous to the Natives, some arrivals are benficial to a neighborhood. You could take my neighborhood for example. A couple years ago, a new family moved into the house next to mine. Sometimes neighbors can be annoying or rude, but I got lucky because my new neighbor turned out to be my new best friend, who I'm still best friends with to this day.
I agree that we were falsely taught about Christopher Columbus as six and seven year-olds, and that the famous explorer did many bad things in his time in the New World to the nativies, but I don't think it's fair to call Columbus a "bad guy". He was being offered tons of money to do the things he did, and while I don't agree with many of the things he did, he was still blinded by all of the gold the King and Queen were giving him.
ReplyDeleteBut I do agree with you that Columbus was unreasonably towards the Native Americans.
I also totally agree that there is a lot more to Christopher Columbus than everything being light and happy. On the other hand, Christopher didn't know any better. He probably had always been told that they were a superior race, and anyone who was unlike them in any aspect was wrong, and lower than them. Given this, we can see why Christopher thought the way he did,and took the actions he took. Nether the less, we now know today that what took place was not fair for the Native Americans, but we would not be here without this event.
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