Primary Sources Of Historical Context
In terms of primary sources in historical research, understanding the context is essential. Historical context essentially helps bridge the gap between you and the person who recorded the data. Different forms of context include understanding the language or dialect from that period, the purpose for recording the information and the political climate of that time; essentially anything that helps the reader to understand why the document was recorded and how to interpret its data. Many times, sources are not written with the intention of them being studied 500 years into the future, they are written more as personal letters or for posterities sake, so they cannot always be taken as bluntly factual. One of the more difficult facets of reading historical writings is the language. Even when the document is written in the reader’s native language, vernacular changes in time and can make it difficult to interpret what the writer means to get across. Sometimes, context within the document can help to interpret meaning behind unfamiliar language, such is the case for the use of the word “league (Reilly 2013)2” from the passage titled Calicut in our reading. In this case, it easy to interpret that a league is a unit of …show more content…
To stick with Christopher Columbus, understanding that not everybody was given equal rights at the time, helps to understand some of the callous language used when referring to Native Americans. The passage, “[…] in the first island which I found, I took by force some of them, in order that they might learn and give me information of that which there is in those parts, (Reilly 2013)2” displays his attitude toward their rights. In one swift sentence he proclaims that he kidnapped Native Americans and displays that from his perspective, he did them a service. The way in which he describes it is as if from his perspective, what he did is as innocent as catching a frog from a
Should Christopher Columbus Be Accepted Or Honored?
647 Words | 3 PagesThe Natives were killed by the European diseases, and after enduring this they were then forced into European law through the Economedia system. Without his discovery, this may have been avoided or handled in a more careful way. Also, Christopher Columbus had many accounts of rape, as well as murder. He wasn’t the only man committing either of these atrocities, but his fame brings these faults
Summary Of Columbus The Indians And Human Progress
605 Words | 3 PagesIt is evident that Zinn tries to tear down the reputation of Columbus and his men by calling them thieves. He clearly states that “they had roamed the island in gangs, looking for gold, taking women and children as slaves for sex and labor” (Zinn 2). The author illustrates how Columbus created the natives into adherents whom would give him and his men anything they wanted, whether that be gold, sex, or money. Likewise, Zinn also shows his dislike for Columbus by making him out to be a cold blooded murderer. It is made evident that the author thinks Columbus is a killer when he states “Indians found without a copper token had their hands cut off and bled to death” and any natives that fled from the scene “were hunted down with dogs and killed” (Zinn 3).
How Did Christopher Columbus The Indians And Human Progress
562 Words | 3 PagesThe Native Americans embraced the Europeans’ arrival, offering every item they requested and trading everything they owned since they were not materialistic people like Columbus and his men were. Despite being treated by the natives as if they were one of their own, Columbus saw the outstretched generosity as a sign of weakness and a way for him to manipulate and conquer the oblivious hosts. While the European’s were given a charitable welcome, as Howard Zinn stated, Columbus’ aim was clear- he wanted slaves and gold, so he did not retaliate the warm welcome given to him by the Native Americans. Columbus’ voyage to what he believed to be the Indies, was a commercial expedition as he sought wealth and did anything necessary to obtain
How Did Christopher Columbus Greed
145 Words | 1 PagesAlthough Christopher Columbus marked a turning point in history, he was not the hero he’s said to be. For one, he enslaved countless amounts of natives after his arrival in the “New World”. He believed they’d make good servants and put them to work finding gold for him. He also mutilated these enslaved people if they did not find enough gold for him. They were usually punished by the loss of a limb and, on occasion, by death.
Why Is Christopher Columbus Day To Indigenous People Day Important
838 Words | 4 PagesColumbus was the first messenger sent to the Americas from a Western civilization and he wrote, “As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts,” (Zinn) which explains how Columbus wanted to take over America and he was willing to constrain the Natives just to do
Ida B Wells Hero
526 Words | 3 PagesIt also stated that Columbus could keep 10 percent of any “merchandise, whether pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices and other objects” that he “acquired” within the new territory. Columbus may indeed have had noble intentions when he sailed west, but his agreement with Spain suggests his intentions were far from selfless.” Clearly, Christopher Columbus was not a selfless hero. As shown above, a true hero inspires the community, makes an impact, and is selfless.
Why Did Christopher Columbus Wrong
583 Words | 3 PagesColumbus obviously knew what he was doing was wrong because he states his intentions to make them slaves. Instead of creating a peaceful society with them he created a lifetime of torture for the Taino people. The fact that he jumped straight into slavery, shows that he didn't care for others well being. He could have easily made a friendly society with the tribe. Heros do the right thing and from this information, it clearly
Colonial America Dbq Essay
877 Words | 4 PagesOn page 1 of “A young person’s history of the United States,” the text says: “They (the Indians) would make fine servants.” (excerpt from Christopher Columbus’ diary) This shows that, upon meeting the Native Americans, Columbus only had cruel things in mind, and he had no interest in making peace with them. In the 2nd paragraph of the website ‘historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinncol1.html,’ (in website list on newwestus.com) the text states: “As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts.” (another excerpt from Christopher Columbus’ diary)
Christopher Columbus: A Positive Historical Hero
154 Words | 1 PagesChristopher Columbus has been viewed as both a positive historical hero and someone who was selfish and brought harm and misfortune to the Indians to benefit the white men. When flipping through a history textbook or sitting through a high school history course Columbus is viewed as a hero who embarked on many expeditions that helped others as well as brought people together with an abundance of goods. God, glory, gold, government, and geography motivated Columbus on his voyages. Columbus discovered land that he believed to be the Indies, which is what led him to identifying the natives as Indians. The people Columbus met were welcoming to Columbus and his men although they didn’t have the spices that were originally expected and needed.
Persuasive Essay On Columbus Day
1273 Words | 6 PagesSometimes when there are too many bad it out weighs the good. Columbus could’ve found other ways to prove his point. He didn’t formulate an agreement that would work for his ‘scheme’ with the Tainos. Instead he just drove his way through not recognizing the people as the natural inhabitants. Some individuals say that the Tainos knew of other kidnapping amongst tribes but didn’t realize that tribal warfare was very limited.
Columbus And The First Thanksgiving Summary
841 Words | 4 PagesAccording to Loewen, few textbooks explained how Columbus was involved in the slavery and the exploitation of Indians. Another error that we have learned in schools about Columbus is that he was the first person to “discover” America. However, this is an error because people from other continents had already reached America before 1492. In fact, we forget
Is Christopher Columbus A Hero To America?
191 Words | 1 PagesChristopher Columbus did not treat the natives like Spaniards. Christopher columbus is believed to be an american hero on behalf of him discovering America and brought gold to Spain. Even today people are grateful for his founding of America so present day he has been given his own day. I don’t believe he is a hero to America, here is why we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want is what he said he would think nothing of knifing Indians by tens and twenties and of cutting slices off them to test the sharpness of their blades. Many people have died in the hands of Columbus over 3 million native people died from 1494 to 1508.
How Did Christopher Columbus Discovered America Dbq Essay
366 Words | 2 PagesWhen Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas in 1492 america was Discovered which he also took our gold and tried to take the native land. Document B is a letter that Columbus wrote when he discovered America “On the thirty-third day after leaving Cadiz I came into the Indian Sea, where I discovered many islands inhabited by numerous people. I took possession of all of them for our most fortunate King... no one making any resistance” this is part of the letter he wrote this means that when he discovered the Americas he found the natives and they all became friends article A backs this evidence up because they talk about how Columbus was happy to see Indians in the new land and how he was brave and cool but it wasn’t always like that.
Christopher Columbus's Negative Impact On The World
503 Words | 3 PagesSome say Christopher Columbus was a hero because he was the explorer that discovered America. In reality, Christopher Columbus had an incredibly negative impact on the world because he enslaved the Native Americans, didn’t help the kind Natives when they got infected by diseases that the Spaniards had brought to America, and killed off most of the Native American population. The tactics he chose to use were violent and destructive by the standards back then and now. First, Columbus treated the Native Americans like uncivilized people by enslaving them and forcing them to work for him although they greeted him and his crew peacefully. ” They could make fine servants,”(document 2) he wrote in his journal,”I took them by force.
Howard Zinn's The Cruelty Of Christopher Columbus
455 Words | 2 PagesHoward Zinn takes the perspective that Christopher Columbus is not the hero that many people perceive him to be. He views him as a cruel and greedy leader who went to the Americas causes death in his wake for his unquenchable search for gold. Columbus took advantage of the Native Americans because at first they were "so naive and so free with their possessions"() by forcing them to collect gold for him else face the punishment of death. While Columbus may or may have not been as heartless as he is made out to be, he is not truly the one to blame for the harsh treatment of the natives on the Caribbean Islands. Almost every other European (at that time) that could have been in his position would have undoubtedly done the same things as Columbus.
More about Primary Sources Of Historical Context
Should Christopher Columbus Be Accepted Or Honored?
647 Words | 3 PagesSummary Of Columbus The Indians And Human Progress
605 Words | 3 PagesHow Did Christopher Columbus The Indians And Human Progress
562 Words | 3 PagesHow Did Christopher Columbus Greed
145 Words | 1 PagesWhy Is Christopher Columbus Day To Indigenous People Day Important
838 Words | 4 PagesIda B Wells Hero
526 Words | 3 PagesWhy Did Christopher Columbus Wrong
583 Words | 3 PagesColonial America Dbq Essay
877 Words | 4 PagesChristopher Columbus: A Positive Historical Hero
154 Words | 1 PagesPersuasive Essay On Columbus Day
1273 Words | 6 PagesColumbus And The First Thanksgiving Summary
841 Words | 4 PagesIs Christopher Columbus A Hero To America?
191 Words | 1 PagesHow Did Christopher Columbus Discovered America Dbq Essay
366 Words | 2 PagesChristopher Columbus's Negative Impact On The World
503 Words | 3 PagesHoward Zinn's The Cruelty Of Christopher Columbus
455 Words | 2 Pages