Christopher Columbus A Hero Or Villain Essay

The image that Christopher Columbus gives to many individuals is the image of the man who ‘discovered’ the New World. His stumble onto the Americas during his Great Voyage, had a great impact on the history that was yet to come. However, many individuals question whether Christopher Columbus was a true hero or a villain. While some historians view him as a man-slaughtering villain, other individuals prefer to praise him for his help in beginning colonization in the Americas. Many of Columbus’s actions towards the Native Americans in the New World have evoked controversy among many. The question of Columbus’s reputation truly lies in whether his actions were those of a true hero or of a true villain. For decades, children have been taught of Christopher Columbus’s great discovery, but have managed to leave out what he had to do in order to conquer that land. Christopher Columbus and his men utilized slavery and inhumane acts in order to eradicate the groups of Native Americans that had possession of the land prior to them. …show more content…
He was one of the greatest explorers and sailors of that time. His exploration of the New World helped launch a new age of explorations and expeditions. He had much contribution to history but at the same time did it in a not so kind way. Instead of having a compromise with the Native Americans, he decided to see them as defenseless and enslaved them instead (WEST, DELNO C. “Italian Americana.”). So is Christopher Columbus a hero or villain? Each historian provides vast amount of evidence and research which support their viewpoint on the Italian explorer and navigator. Some name him a villain for his barbaric acts against the Native Americans. Others prefer to put him up on a pedestal and approve his actions because they believed the outcome of his actions were bigger than the actions themselves. Different historians have a different view of Christopher