summary for HIS class

In 1946 he sailed aboard for Lisbon, Portugal, Flanders and England. Due to the Mediterranean Sea war his ship was attacked and it went down. He swam till Lisbon. Later he became a chart maker to earn for his living.

Years later Columbus wanted to reach Asia for its wealth. He was sure that by sailing west for 3000 miles he could each Asia. On 1484 he applied for ships and men from king john 2 of Portugal. His application was rejected being considered a flop plan. Later he met Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. After certain happening of events like discovery of Cape of Good Hope, his proposal was once again rejected as the Portuguese was no longer interested in an unproved route.

Finally the Spanish agreed to finance the expedition. The crew to sail on the three ships the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria was chartered. Columbus commanded Santa Maria. After 33 days of sailing they reached the island of Bahamas and hence reached America. This journey of his made him the greatest explorer and sailor of his time. He gave the world the continent of America which without his contribution no one knows would ever be found out or not.

Not only had his discovery made him hero of America but also hero of mankind. He was also an excellent navigator by the stars.

Columbus a Hero

Christopher Columbus was the man who reached America and returned to America. He was not the one who discovered it as said, but he was the one that united European and the American culture. He is considered as a hero all over the world from many decades. His acts of heroism includes a lot of incidents of which following are some,

· He was the greatest sailor and explore of his time.

· With a very long and courageous journey he discovered America. It was his discovery which linked Europe and America.

· Columbus’s discovery enlarged the world and began the age of exploration.

· His courage and vision changed the history of the world.

· He opened America to the western world. Though accidently but he united the human species.

· Columbus crossed the Atlantic, which many people thought to be impossible.

· He gave the proof that the world is round, by finding America. Earlier people use to think that earth is flat.

· He spread religion over the world and also found many islands.

Columbus a villain

Not considered hero by many surely he was considered a villain by lots of people. A lot of act of cruelty and inhumanity includes some of the following:

· He was responsible for killing the natives of Bahamas were he first landed, for making them brutally work in his gold mines.

· He forced young girls into sexual slavery. Also known for raping and killing girls.

· His acts of inhumanity consisted many of his wrong deeds. Cutting of the hands of the people if the resisted slavery, attacking them by dogs, killing babies to feed dogs.

· People working for Columbus also got horrified from his cruel deed. He was known for his brutality.

· He was a racist.

· He was a self-centered and delusional man.

· Allowed rape, killing, and enslavement of natives thus considered a an ego maniac.

Points put up by of Kirkpatrick Sale

Valid as per my opinion:

· Kirkpatrick agrees that Columbus arriving to America was defining moment in the history and changing the world thereof

· His looking to the global consequences of the discovery is also a unique point and separating man from the legend.

· He thinks we can learn some lesson for the present by seeing the history by understanding and committing to return to the religious meaning of life.

· Making awareness amongst the people about the philosophy and the practices of civilization.

· Offering people an alternative to civilization and its evils.

· A careful and serious reassessment of our thinking, to address the error before celebration of Columbus day to look differently on the discovery.

· Have wisdom on the values inherent in conquering culture and civilization it has fostered.

· Sale also reveals the colossal impact of the discovery all over the world.

Invalid:

· Rethinking about the relationship between America and Europe is a point made by sale which according to me is not necessary

· Not giving Columbus the credit for his discovery.

Thought about Columbus Day today

In a way to show respect and honor to Christopher Columbus America celebrates his first voyage with a holiday on second Monday in October.

It’s a good question to ask that after knowing the grey shades of Columbus should ‘Columbus day be celebrated today? I think he was neither a hero nor a villain. Though his action and behavior made him a cruel and brutal person but by opening America to the world he did do a great job which the world can never forget. Columbus Day should be celebrated. The US has long admired Columbus. It has the maximum monuments to Columbus. It is a day when US recognizes the heritage of millions of Italian Americans. The hatred against Columbus is also people hatred among the western culture. Stopping the celebration of this It will demoralize the western people who idolize their heroes who signify essential moments in their life of western civilization. SO, people should respect the culture which has already been inherited so that the momentous discovery is not lost.

References

1)  West & World since 1500 wright states university

2) What Columbus Discovered by Kirkpatrck Sale

3) History today

4) Blog of Eric Kasum, founder of the imagine institute.

5) Article by Patricia ONeill

6) The anarchist library.