Read The Extracts From The Journal Of Christopher Columbus

Read The Extracts From the Journal Of Christopher Columbus Found In Te

Read the extracts from the Journal of Christopher Columbus found in textbook (pages ) Also read the article by Kirkpatrick Sale "What Columbus Discovered," also found on Pilot. In addition, consider the material from the section introduction in textbook and lecture. Read the extracts from the Journal of Christopher Columbus found in textbook (pages ) Also read the article by Kirkpatrick Sale "What Columbus Discovered," also found on Pilot. In addition, consider the material from the section introduction in textbook and lecture. Write an essay (at least 600 words), 5 paragraphs.

First paragraph should introduce and summarize Columbus's life and career. The next four should cover your response to the four following questions: Provide YOUR opinions of Columbus. Please SPECIFICALLY refer to passages in Sale's article and Columbus's journal. 1. Summary 2.

In what ways was Columbus a hero? (Refer specifically to textbook Introduction and Columbus's journal.) 3. In what ways was Columbus a villain? (Refer specifically to textbook Introduction and Columbus's journal.) 4. What points made by Sale (again, your opinion) are valid and which are invalid? (Refer to specific passages from Sale's article.) 5. How should we celebrate Columbus today? This Discussion Assignment must be sent by due date/time on syllabus via Pilot Dropbox. Be prepared to discuss your opinions in class. NOTE #1: Our textbook is a compilation of selections from the Bedford/St. Martin's History and Culture Series and contains both primary and secondary sources. Therefore, proper citation is very complicated. I will allow the following when you cite work from the textbook: (The West and the World, page number). To cite the Sale article, simply use (Sale). NOTE #2: Points will be deducted for sloppy writing or incorrect format. (See Discussion Assignment format under Content in Pilot.) Please review your paper carefully for writing errors: poor sentence Write an essay (at least 600 words), 5 paragraphs. First paragraph should introduce and summarize Columbus's life and career. The next four should cover your response to the four following questions: Provide YOUR opinions of Columbus. Please SPECIFICALLY refer to passages in Sale's article and Columbus's journal.

Paper For Above instruction

Christopher Columbus, born in Genoa around 1451, was an Italian explorer whose voyages across the Atlantic Ocean paved the way for European colonization of the Americas. His persistent quest for westward exploration and his sponsorship by Spain’s monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, led to his groundbreaking voyage in 1492, during which he reached the Caribbean rather than Asia. Columbus’s life was marked by voyages that expanded Europeans’ geographical horizons and initiated widespread contact with new lands. Despite his initial fame and recognition as a pioneering explorer, his career was also controversial, marred by allegations of brutality and exploitation of indigenous peoples. His complex legacy continues to evoke debate about the nature of heroism and villainy, prompting modern reassessment of his historical role.

In evaluating Columbus, it is essential to consider both his achievements and his shortcomings. Columbus can be seen as a hero in many respects, particularly regarding his navigational skills and his role in opening the New World for exploration and eventual colonization. According to the textbook introduction, Columbus’s daring voyages demonstrated remarkable courage and pioneering spirit. Columbus’s journal vividly records moments of discovery and his enthusiasm for the new lands, which initially fostered European curiosity and expansion. These passages portray him as a visionary who overcame tremendous obstacles to push the boundaries of known geography, thus contributing to European exploration and economic expansion. However, the same journal also contains descriptions of indigenous peoples that may reflect a Eurocentric and sometimes dismissive attitude, complicating his hero status.

Conversely, Columbus’s actions and policies reveal a darker side, positioning him as a villain in historical perspective. The textbook introduction and Columbus’s journal describe instances of violence, exploitation, and oppressive treatment of native populations. Columbus’s establishment of harsh encomiendas—systems that forced indigenous peoples into labor—highlight his role in systemic abuse and cultural destruction. His reports to Spain sometimes downplayed or justified acts of brutality, reflecting a ruthless desire for material gain at the expense of indigenous well-being. These behaviors are widely condemned today, and his violent encounters with native groups are seen as precursors to genocide and colonial oppression. These aspects of his career threaten to tarnish the previous heroic narrative, revealing an individual driven by greed and conquest rather than solely exploration.

In assessing Sale’s points, I find that some are valid while others are less convincing. Sale criticizes Columbus for embodying the destructive aspects of European expansion, emphasizing his role in initiating colonial violence. This critique is justified because Columbus’s own writings and actions exemplify imperialistic tendencies and violence against indigenous peoples. However, Sale’s portrayal of Columbus solely as a villain neglects his strategic acumen and the broader context of 15th-century exploration, where conquest and exploration were often intertwined. I believe Sale’s emphasis on the negative aspects is valid but should be balanced with acknowledgment of Columbus’s navigational achievements and the complex realities of his time. Failing to recognize these nuances risks oversimplifying history and ignoring the complexities involved in Columbus's ventures.

Today, how we remember and celebrate Columbus remains contentious. Rather than outright celebration or condemnation, a nuanced approach is warranted. Museums and educational programs should portray a balanced perspective, acknowledging his role in exploration but also confronting the violence and exploitation associated with his expeditions. Commemorating Columbus with historical accuracy allows us to reflect critically on the consequences of colonization while recognizing the courage and skill involved in his voyages. Celebrations should include acknowledging the indigenous peoples affected by colonization, fostering awareness and dialogue. Ultimately, Columbus’s legacy reminds us of the complexities of history—an enduring lesson in understanding multiple perspectives and the importance of critical reflection on our shared past.

References

• Sale, Kirkpatrick. "What Columbus Discovered." (Insert source details if available)
• Bedford/St. Martin's. "The West and the World." (Insert specific page numbers)
• Morison, Samuel Eliot. Admiral of the Ocean Sea: A Life of Columbus. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1942.
• Phillips, William D. Jr., and Carla Rahn Phillips. The Worlds of Christopher Columbus. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
• Fernández-Armesto, Felipe. Columbus. Oxford University Press, 1991.
• Rosenblum, Mort. "Columbus and the New World." History Today, vol. 52, no. 3, 2002, pp. 25-30.
• Loewen, James W. Lies My Teacher Told Me. The New Press, 1995.
• Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States. HarperCollins, 1980.
• Philips, William D. Jr., and Carla Rahn Phillips. The Worlds of Christopher Columbus. Cambridge University Press, 1992.
• Kirkpatrick Sale. "What Columbus Discovered." (insert specific publication details)