Argumentative Essay Outline
I. Claim: Celebration of Columbus Day should be abolished due to Columbus’ harsh treatment toward the Native Americans and fallacies in his exploration.
II. Sub-Claims: A) Reason: Columbus’ exploration was not meant to discover America but to conquer and exploit existed American civilizations. Evidence: “When slavery did not pay off, Columbus turned to a tribute system, forcing every Taíno, 14 or older, to fill a hawk’s bell with gold every three months” (Huffington Post). Evidence: If the Taínos failed to complete the mission, “Columbus ordered that Taíno be ‘punished,’ by having their hands chopped off, or they were chased down by attack dogs” (Huffington Post). Acknowledgement: Columbus had to fulfill his
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C) Reason: Columbus was to be remembered as the first terrorist in the Americas. Evidence: “When resistance mounted a to the Spaniards’ violence, Columbus sent an armed force to ‘spread terror among the Indians to show them how strong and powerful the Christians were,’ according to the Spanish priest Bartolome de las Casas” (Huffington Post). Evidence: “The soldiers mowed down dozens with point-blank volleys, loosed the dogs to rip open limbs and bellies, chased fleeing Indians into the bush to skewer them on sword and pike,…” (Huffington Post). Acknowledgement: Columbus’s actions were perhaps a form of self-defense in response to the violent and aggressive Taíno people. Response: Conflicts that occurred between Columbus and the Natives were a direct consequence of Columbus’ harsh treatment toward the Natives, who had no other options beside resistance. Warrant: Compared to the French and English responses toward the Natives, the Spanish responses were the least favorable. The desire for precious metals and wealth was the primary cause of the Spanish’s harsh treatments upon the