Point Of View In Zinn's Honoring Christopher Columbus

In the reading of A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn, Zinn takes a different approach than most traditional historians. He chooses to concentrate on the personal experiences and struggles of the everyday people, rather than the view of the leaders or “State” Zinn 's primary position is that if historical education focused on the historical perspective of those who are normally excluded from the usual accounts, students and people would gain a wider and broader understanding of history: “The treatment of heroes (Columbus) and their victims (the Arawak)-the quiet acceptance of conquest and murder in the name of progress- is only one aspect of a certain approach to history, in which the past is told from the point of view of governments, conquerors...leaders.” (Zinn 6) For Zinn this process of reevaluation is vital to understanding history and getting a more accurate depiction.

The accomplishments of Christopher Columbus should be celebrated because in spite of his faults, he was able to free the downtrodden Europeans, create a land of diversity, cultural acceptance and freedom, and by celebrating him, celebrate ethnic heritage and education. Columbus was “a noble-minded visionary who opened up new land of opportunity for the oppressed masses of Europe,” (M. Castronovo Fusco 1) giving way to a great new nation that upheld diversity and independence. Even though Columbus and his voyages had horrible flaws, “the symbolism of Christopher Columbus was that of a voyage of freedom. It really was the start of globalization of our world” (M. Castronovo Fusco 1). Without Columbus, the Old World and New World would not have connected and important technology and agricultural trade and tips would not have been exchanged.

Although 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.

When I was in elementary and middle school, I was always taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. What I was not taught was the toll it took on the Natives in the Americas. Also, we were not taught about Christopher Columbus’ role before his voyage, such as his slave holdings. I found that article interesting because it gave me information that I was not taught so for in my education. I learned the reason for Columbus’ fame: the Founding Fathers needed a hero.

Columbus -- Hero or Villain Many people see Columbus as a hero and even though he changed people's way of life economically, religiously, and politically he also destroyed the natives way of life in the process. Columbus set sail out of Spain in 1492 looking for a faster route to the products and goods from the east but instead he spotted land at watling island in the Bahamas.

People have very different opinions on Christopher Columbus. My opinion is he was a very greedy man, the only thing he cared about was money. He would do anything possible to get it, even if he was already rich he would want more and more. Some things he did was took 10% of any riches in a land he might discover. Also, he didn't care whose flag he was sailing under, he only cared about getting the money.

Christopher Columbus Is Columbus really the man we think he is? Columbus is a well known figure for he discovered America and led other explorers and conquistadors there too. He has impacted history greatly and is argued to be either a positive or negative person. He may be skilled and courageous, but he’s actually a bad guy inside. Columbus is a villain due to how he planned to use the natives, and how conceited and harsh the Spanish were.

Christopher Columbus “It appears to me, that the people are ingenious, and would be good servants”. (Document 2) What started out as a journey to find a new trade route ended in the discovery of the Americas for Christopher Columbus. The moment Columbus arrived in the Americas he formed an opinion on the natives.

Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailor, known as a navigator, colonizer, and inventor. Columbus computation error for an expedition to the East Indies resulted in his appearance in Espanola. Columbus used technology available to him in the 1400’s. Today sailor has technology far superior to Columbus day.

Have you ever met someone who is not who you thought they were? You should not trust just one source. Textbooks often show just one side of the story. New evidence proves that Christopher Columbus is not who he seems. Due to this information, Columbus Day should be changed.

In Christopher Columbus’ letter he portrays the Natives during his journey as inferior and uncivilized people. This can be seen through the encounters with the natives, the lack of their sense of item value, and their lack of civilization. The first encounter that Columbus had with the natives they ran away. The text gives no indication as to why the natives ran.

The author suggests that Columbus was a greedy, immoral man blinded by finding gold to pay debts and bring riches to Spain. When Columbus landed in the Bahamas, despite being greeted with hospitality by the Arawak Indians, decided he would manipulate them to his benefit. He observed that had no iron, horses or any weaponry that could stand up against the Spanish. Consequently, the natives were tied to the ship as captives, forced to lead Columbus to the fields of gold he believed to be out there. This lead him to Hispaniola which was where the first European military base in the Western Hemisphere was constructed.