Columbus Blog #8

Christopher Columbus was a historically prominent figure who immensely furthered the exploration and usage of the Americas. During a trip in which he was attempting to sail to Asia from Western Europe, Columbus found instead the Americas and for quite awhile, mistook the new continents for those he was looking for, going so far as to refer to the Native Americans he encountered as "Indians." This misconception is still accepted and widely used today. His voyage resulted in newfound European involvement in North and South America, along with the Caribbean islands. Columbus had a profound, lasting impact on the Americas, which can be construed as positive or negative.

It is easy enough to portray Christopher Columbus in a positive light. His bravery attests to that. In a time of faith and old-fashioned ideas, Columbus believed firmly and correctly that the world was round, and because of this belief accepted a mission that no one had ever embarked on before. He ended up stumbling upon the Americas, which was only a side effect of his goal but had a massive impact on global perception, commerce, and culture. His "discovery" of America, the Columbian exchange, and proof that the world is indeed round are all tribute to his perseverance of personal beliefs and bravery.

Columbus's negative effects on the Native American populations are horrifying and well-documented, which throws his life and all of his achievements into question. In his search for riches, Columbus and his men slaughtered and diseased entire populations of natives, with little or no thought for their culture. Columbus's inherently bad motive and actions in the Americas towards the natives makes one wonder if he is fit to have a glorified place in history at all.

In conclusion, Columbus was both a hero and a villain to some, but despite opening the doorway for centuries of Native American oppression, his actions led the world in an entirely new direction and he is absolutely crucial to world history.