Pros And Cons Of Christopher Columbus

Alexa Canelli
February 1, 2013
Am Hist I (12pm) Mazurek
Homework #1

A) “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492...” This popular poem has become engraved in the minds of many children for years. From a young age, certain facts about the discovery of America are taught. What is not being realized is that many specifics are being omitted from lessons. This being said, it is important to note that it is no longer as simple to just explain that Christopher Columbus discovered America. Even in many history textbooks throughout modern America, some of the truths are absent. Columbus has recently become so controversial, especially at the time of his quincentennial, because of this oblivious ignorance of the facts of history. Many believe
From the aspect of the native Americans that Columbus “discovered,” his arrival started the destruction of the native peoples (Gray 1). This natural world he discovered would soon be corrupted by the European invasion of the New World. What Columbus mistook for ignorance from the indigenous was actually just a different, unpretentious way of living in which the natives were quite comfortable. “’They were well fed and well housed, without poverty or serious disease. They enjoyed considerable leisure… and expressed themselves artistically…They lived in general harmony and peace without greed or covetousness or theft’” (4). From the evidence we can collect, it seems as if the natives were not without fault as the prelapsarian myth suggests, but they were content before Columbus and probably would have lived in prosperity completely satisfied without Columbus (4). It needs to be well understood that Columbus is a historical figure, not a historical
The first individual he discussed in his writings was the leader of the indigenous people of Mexico: Montezuma. Racially, Castillo believed him to be quite in-shape with adequate mussels and build. He was of “usual Indian complexion” and his hair was not long like most Indians, but short above his ears (24). Culturally, Castillo saw Montezuma as being mostly grandiose. He had many mistresses and two wives. He was very spoiled with numerous amounts of servants that adhered to his every need. Even Castillo seemed amazed that at every meal prepared for the leader of the Mexicans, thirty different dishes were prepared and that he sometimes even fed on the flesh of young boys. Being that the weapons they had were more adapt then his own, “[swords] that cut much better than our swords,” Castillo was vastly impressed with the arms Montezuma possessed (24). Not only were the weapons better, but they were significantly decorated as well. While Montezuma was viewed as very elegant and over-the-top by Castillo, the peoples of Mexico were regarded slightly