As American pop culture, media, and music continues to be celebrated in the present, one can only contemplate back to the roots of such an iconic continent’s first discovery. Many believe and celebrate a man by the name of Christopher Columbus, whom is credited with the discovery of the Americas. However much popular, I argue that Columbus and his explorations should not be appreciated to such an extent as it is today. A main concern that I share amongst others is the insistent notion that Columbus may not have even discovered the Americas first. Regardless of such a relatively groundless claim, furthermore, Columbus is also credited with the mass genocide of millions of the resident Native Americans in the region in which he occupied. These
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Contrary to popular belief, many do not trust the claim that Christopher Columbus was the first to step foot on the Americas. In fact, records show that “blond-bearded Norse seafarers from Scandinavia chanced upon the northeastern shoulder of North America about 1000 A.D.” (pg. 11 Kennedy, D. M., & Cohen, L. (n.d.). The American pageant) And although there is no factual evidence, it is also surmised that Zheng he, a Chinese explorer might also have set foot on the Americas. “Zheng He was a real historical figure, who commanded a huge armada of wooden sailing vessels in the early 15th century. He explored Southeast Asia, India and the east coast of Africa using navigational techniques that were, at the time, cutting edge.” (Weiner, E. (2007, October 8). Coming to America: Who Was First? Retrieved August 15, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15040888) However, others argue that …show more content…
Early in his exploration, it is said that he practically stole his own crew member’s credit and pay upon their discovery of land. “Columbus claimed he had seen a light the evening before. He got the reward [money].” (pg. 3 Zinn, H. (n.d.). A people's history of the United States: 1492-2001) Furthermore, Columbus was an exceedingly money- oriented man, and sought riches throughout his travels, whether it be through slaves or resources. Being also a man of much pride, Columbus routinely made enemies. “Moreover, Columbus was determined to take back both material and human cargo to his sovereigns and for himself, and this could be accomplished only if his sailors carried on looting, kidnapping, and other violent acts, especially on Hispaniola.” (Flint, V. I. (n.d.). Christopher Columbus - The first voyage. Retrieved August 15, 2016, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus/The-first-voyage) Bloodthirsty and merciless towards the Indians, many accounts prove that Christopher Columbus stumbled upon the Americas through plain luck and only opened up this “New World,” to trade in order to prevent ridicule from
Contrary to popular belief, many do not trust the claim that Christopher Columbus was the first to step foot on the Americas. In fact, records show that “blond-bearded Norse seafarers from Scandinavia chanced upon the northeastern shoulder of North America about 1000 A.D.” (pg. 11 Kennedy, D. M., & Cohen, L. (n.d.). The American pageant) And although there is no factual evidence, it is also surmised that Zheng he, a Chinese explorer might also have set foot on the Americas. “Zheng He was a real historical figure, who commanded a huge armada of wooden sailing vessels in the early 15th century. He explored Southeast Asia, India and the east coast of Africa using navigational techniques that were, at the time, cutting edge.” (Weiner, E. (2007, October 8). Coming to America: Who Was First? Retrieved August 15, 2016, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15040888) However, others argue that …show more content…
Early in his exploration, it is said that he practically stole his own crew member’s credit and pay upon their discovery of land. “Columbus claimed he had seen a light the evening before. He got the reward [money].” (pg. 3 Zinn, H. (n.d.). A people's history of the United States: 1492-2001) Furthermore, Columbus was an exceedingly money- oriented man, and sought riches throughout his travels, whether it be through slaves or resources. Being also a man of much pride, Columbus routinely made enemies. “Moreover, Columbus was determined to take back both material and human cargo to his sovereigns and for himself, and this could be accomplished only if his sailors carried on looting, kidnapping, and other violent acts, especially on Hispaniola.” (Flint, V. I. (n.d.). Christopher Columbus - The first voyage. Retrieved August 15, 2016, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus/The-first-voyage) Bloodthirsty and merciless towards the Indians, many accounts prove that Christopher Columbus stumbled upon the Americas through plain luck and only opened up this “New World,” to trade in order to prevent ridicule from