Should Christopher Columbus Be Accepted Or Honored?

Christopher Columbus

There has been recent confliction amongst American citizens on whether Christopher Columbus should be honoured and respected for the credit he’s been given for discovering the Americas. Christopher Columbus committed great crimes in his lifetime, but he’s still human. Along with his crimes came amazing achievements. With his discovery of the Americas, he changed the world completely. On the other hand, he abused some of his discoveries. Like most, he also took his life and experiences for granted. With all of this in mind, there is simply not enough information to conclude if Christopher Columbus was good or bad, or whether he should be honoured or disgraced.

Although Christopher Columbus committed various crimes, he also

He was a known follower of God and wanted to spread the message. The fame, power, and wealth that would come with his journey aided in his determination as well. Determination was one of the many good traits that Columbus demonstration. On his first journey to America, despite the complaints and downfall of his crew, Columbus refused to turn back: They sailed and sailed as winds might blow, Until at last the blanched mate said: "Why, now not even God would know/Should I and all my men fall dead./These very winds forget their way,/For God from these dread seas is gone./Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say—/”He said: "Sail on! sail on! and on!’”(Miller). Columbus faced his challenges head on and did not falter. Although, these lines hold bad characteristics in them as well, Columbus was determined to serve his King and Queen. His loyalty to his benefactors was unwavering. Christopher Columbus desired to impress Ferdinand and Isabella in order to be granted more fundings for his voyages: ”Everything looked as green as in April in

Behind his ideal characteristics hid his flaws: "Why, now not even God would know/Should I and all my men fall dead./These very winds forget their way,/For God from these dread seas is gone./Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say—/”He said: "Sail on! sail on! and on!’”(Miller). Although he illustrated determination, he also displayed negative attributes by ignoring his sickly crew. With his discovery of the Americas, Christopher Columbus essentially began a Native American genocide. The 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