In Ward Churchill’s “History Not Taught is History Forgot: Columbus’s Legacy of Genocide”, depictions of the European’s genocide and greed are numerous. Christopher Columbus nearly caused the extinction of the native Taino’s people. He used slavery as the premiere method of extinction. Upon his arrival, the Taino’s population ranked eight million. When he departed, that number had dwindled to 100, 000. His successors carried on his policies, and the natives were further decimated to a mere 22, 000 in the year 1514. By the year 1542 they were reduced to 200 individuals, rendering them virtually extinct. The consequences of Columbus’ policies indirectly led to an absolute extermination of an entire culture.…
After reading Howard Zinn’s viewpoint on Columbus, the Indians, and the human progress I can now confirm/characterize that Columbus is, as historical figure, not a hero, but somewhere in between being a hero and a villain (being more towards a villain). Throughout the whole reading the reader can notice how Colombus’ mistake of finding a new route to Asia and mistakenly discovering an unknown land to the Europeans caused great pain for the natives who were forced into labor/made into slaves to go find and bring Colombus gold, so he can give it to Spain for them to send more ships to Columbus to get more gold for the country’s wealth, and when they couldn’t find any they would be killed. Colombus’ discovery led to many deaths and the Europeans…
“Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress,” was written in 1999 by Howard Zinn, and it discusses some of the early interactions between Europeans arriving and colonizing the Americas and the Native Americans who lived there. Zinn quite clearly states the viewpoint of this article, saying he tries, in telling history, “not to be on the side of the executioners.” In other words, Zinn’s article focuses primarily on the effects of the Europeans on the Native Americans, highlighting specific cruelties committed intentionally by the Europeans more than the effects of disease. As far as historical context goes, Zinn covers a wide range of areas, from Peru to the Eastern Coast of North America, and a relatively large range of dates, from Columbus' original…
All through the historical backdrop of the New World, there has been strife between indigenous populaces and approaching pioneers that usurp the land and assets. The uncovered histories and ficticious belief surrounding the Trail of Tears and the victory of the Incas and other local societies reminds us as readers that genocide and ethnic purifying leaves a sign of an awesome misfortune on American…
In David A. Stannard's book, American Holocaust: Columbus And the Conquest of the New World, Stannard discusses the cruelty he says Christopher Columbus inflicted upon Native Americans and how it was comparable to the genocidal acts of World War II. This debate arose roughly thirteen or so years ago, and before then people thought Columbus could not have possibly done something so horrific. However, there is evidence to support the claims, and the idea that Columbus may have been crueler than previously believed is becoming less and less taboo.…
Disease and warfare wiped out more than 90 percent of the Indian tribes of the Arawak and Taino as well as the Mayan people in the 1500’s.…
The Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez recognized Christopher Columbus starting the genocide of the indigenous people. He called it “the biggest genocide in history.” Many people would probably agree with Chavez, seeing that even more people were killed here than Jews in World War 2. “They executed an aboriginal every 10 minutes – the biggest genocide in registered history,” Chavez said. These were innocent people that were killed because of the greed of some Europeans.…
Thinking back to Ferdinand and Isabella’s choice to colonize the New World, I believe they made the right decision. Even though I now know the terrible consequences that their decision inflicted on the native people, my position remains that colonization was worth the cost. Columbus’ letter described the New World; Hispana like it was a place for the gods. Perhaps, in the eyes of Europeans it was a paradise. Europe was suffering from a lack of resources, polluted rivers, and overpopulated landscapes, which led to a major crisis.…
7. Identify one early and one subsequent motive that drove Columbus to oppress indigenous peoples.…
“Ex Post Facto,” by Stanley Schmidt, describes how people view history and historic societies’ beliefs. In this modern world, most people look down on past events that would now be considered unacceptable. He uses Christopher Columbus as an example throughout the text, and explains how his methods of conquering new land would be seen as cruel and evil in this present day. Kidnapping, murdering, and destroying most of the Native American homes is not easily forgiven in this day and age.…
The masses of Native deaths got this the title of being a genocide. Even though this was not intentional. The Europeans were actually puzzled as to why the Natives got so sick from these diseases. They had no clue that they had brought dangerous pathogens with them to the New World. The Natives were not immune, unlike the Europeans. The Natives had never been exposed to the diseases. That made them have weak immune…
Columbus forced labor on them, which led to unsanitary conditions, killing many (Source 4). Those who could not handle the harsh conditions of Columbus’s labor were killed, and those who survived lived to suffer another day. Columbus harmed the health of hundreds of Native Americans, and should not be held up for it. Not surprisingly, Columbus’s forced labor caused many health conditions as well. Malnutrition was common in the people (Source 4). Because of Columbus’s harsh labor conditions and little food, the native peoples suffered from insufficient diet illnesses. These horrible health circumstances were horrendous, and Columbus is not worthy of appreciation for it. Continuously, Columbus’s greatest health impact on the Natives was what he brought with him from Europe, disease. Because the Native Americans had not adapted to European culture, lifestyle, and environment, when Columbus came bearing all these attributes, the Natives were highly affected and suffered for it. The diseases that Columbus and his men were somewhat immune to had an effect on the Natives and caused various health problems, diseases, and death. Specifically, the contagious disease known as smallpox, was spread, and “killed millions of of Native Americans” (Source 2). The diseases caused by Columbus should not be praised, which is what America is doing by celebrating Columbus Day, and that day should therefore cease to exist.…
Koning makes it a point in his book to show that Columbus was a very selfish man. He describes a scene from before his first voyage when Columbus left his son an orphan just so he could set out to sea. Throughout the book we can also see his selfishness get worse and worse as he becomes more and more infamous throughout Europe. Koning states, “Columbus assuredly was not a force for the good. If an entire race stood in his way, it had to go” (70). This only goes to show that Columbus only looked out for himself and really did not care about the well-being of others. Another part of the book that also demonstrates this idea is when Koning describes when Columbus and his men came across the “savages” on his second voyage. Koning describes how the savages were over powered and struggled to survive Columbus and his crew. The part that makes these killings so selfish on Columbus’ part is that he had no reason to kill these people, yet they still managed to massacre the helpless natives.…
Although often viewed as inferior, savage and helpless, many historians are starting to discover the intelligence and wisdom the Indians had and shared with the colonists that came to America so long ago. As the settlers slowly began to create a new world on the already inhabited North America, they were plagued with starvation due to a severe drought in the area. Due to the dry lands and the settlers expectations to “rely on Indians for food and tribute,” (Norton 17) they were disappointed to find that the Indians were not so keen to handing out food and help to the strangers that have just come onto their land and begun to settle in such a time of severe weather and starvation. As time goes on, both the Indians and the Englishmen realize they both have what the other needs; tools from the white men and crops, land and knowledge from the Indians. As a result, the chief of Tsenacomoco, Powhatan, and colonist, Captain John Smith on an ideally peaceful, mutualistic relationship to ensure the survival of both civilizations. This agreement will leave the groups in cahoots for 100 of years leading to some disastrous scenarios and betrayals.…
With Columbus Day rapidly approaching us, a day celebrated by millions upon millions of people who dearly believe that he is a hero, you begin to wonder. Do these people know what they are celebrating? While yes, he “discovered” the New World, however people fail to acknowledge that Columbus was in fact a mass murderer. In all likelihood, he brought to life “the worst case of genocide imposed on one nation of human beings by another”.…