When asked about Christopher Columbus and 1492, seventh grade students are likely going to recite the standard “history” of Columbus and his great discovery of America. Everyone knows, “in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue” to prove the world was round and to get spices from the West Indies. Rather than landing in the West Indies, he found the “New World.” It was this great discovery that paved the way for Europeans tired of monarch rule and religious oppression to travel to and settle this “New World.” And the rest is “history,” so to speak. This story is neat and tidy and contributes easily to multiple-choice tests. Good educators, however, should recognize that most seventh graders are old enough to understand the more complex history
…show more content…
The problems with looking at history strictly from this perspective are that it leaves many unanswered questions and is often based on myth. This perspective does not explain why and how European dominance developed or why Columbus’ expedition is credited with this accomplishment. This “white washed history” perspective underestimates the impact and roles of other “discoverers” and inhabitants of the Americas. It also portrays Columbus as a great American hero (Loewen …show more content…
Even most junior high students could likely recite that the Vikings reached America long before Columbus, but in reality many groups “discovered” America before Columbus. There is evidence that Roman explorers visited the Americas more than once and mariners from Africa and Asia also made it to this continent. Stone heads found in Mexico dating to 750 BC as well as small stone sculptures that appear to be Caucasoid and Negroid faces may be representations of the Phoenician group from West Africa. There is also evidence of possible pre-Columbian expeditions from parts of Asia, Ireland, and Portugal. While none of these previous groups had lasting impact on the Americas aside from artifacts, their existence contributes to a more complete and complex understanding of
The problems with looking at history strictly from this perspective are that it leaves many unanswered questions and is often based on myth. This perspective does not explain why and how European dominance developed or why Columbus’ expedition is credited with this accomplishment. This “white washed history” perspective underestimates the impact and roles of other “discoverers” and inhabitants of the Americas. It also portrays Columbus as a great American hero (Loewen …show more content…
Even most junior high students could likely recite that the Vikings reached America long before Columbus, but in reality many groups “discovered” America before Columbus. There is evidence that Roman explorers visited the Americas more than once and mariners from Africa and Asia also made it to this continent. Stone heads found in Mexico dating to 750 BC as well as small stone sculptures that appear to be Caucasoid and Negroid faces may be representations of the Phoenician group from West Africa. There is also evidence of possible pre-Columbian expeditions from parts of Asia, Ireland, and Portugal. While none of these previous groups had lasting impact on the Americas aside from artifacts, their existence contributes to a more complete and complex understanding of