Christopher Columbus has earned a heroic reputation for his long adventurous journey in 1492 that resulted in his discovery of America. However, historians are debating whether or not he was actually a hero. Some argue that he was a villain due to the destruction he caused to the land of the New World and the suffering he put the Native Americans through and others suggest he is a hero because of his remarkable achievements and contribution to the world. The harshness with which Columbus treated the natives made him flawed in some ways. Nevertheless, Columbus was a hero, achieving what seemed to be impossible at the time in a manner unrivalled in the history of exploration.
When Columbus sailed to the New World, he successfully founded a Spanish empire that
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This expansion led to lasting impact on the world. Although he was originally trying to sail to Asia, Columbus’ discovery of the New World was exceptional because he was the only successful sailor to travel east across ocean with the courage to have the wind at his back instead of traveling west and securing a safe route home. By doing this, he also discovered a new trade route from Europe to North America. In the article, “Columbus- Hero or Villain?” by Felipe Fernández-Armesto, a historian at Oxford University, Armesto explains that the people of Europe “were brought together in a single network of communications, which exposed them to the perils and benefits of mutual contagion and exchange” (207). Columbus’ voyage opened up new trade routes and communications between Europe and the New World. As a result, cultural diffusion occurred and new unique goods and ideas were shared across the Atlantic Ocean. Not only did this provide Europe and North America with more goods, but it also helped Europe’s economy to grow. Therefore, Columbus helped both lands benefit from his journey by expanding