Was Christopher Columbus a bad guy, and was his discovery of the route to America bad?
Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502.
According to first-hand accounts, including his own diary, initial contact with the natives resulted in exchange of gifts and mutual admiration.
The Europeans and the natives were surely like aliens to each other in every way. But Columbus was not a perpetrator of any crime or disrespect to the people.
Two things eventually happened that led to death and bad blood between the natives and Spaniards that would follow in Columbus’ wake.
Disease, primarily small pox, killed many natives. Europeans unwittingly brought the disease to a people with no immunity. Conversely, the natives introduced to Europeans a new disease called Syphilis.
The Spaniards looked upon the bounty of the New World’s riches as theirs for the taking with little regard for the existing cultures. They followed in Columbus’ footsteps seeking gold and silver.
There are many great stories of how the natives fought back and won in many cases against the Spanish. If you read further into history, you’ll find that the Spanish approach to conquering failed. What succeeded was community building by way of colonization, another approach taken a years later by the British, followed by the French and Dutch.
Columbus is not a bad guy or a good guy. He played his particular role in history.
Was Columbus really a bad guy? | Carla G. Harper - Author ...
But the man credited for discovering the "New World" has long been considered a contentious figure in US history for his treatment of the indigenous communities he encountered and for his role in the violent colonization at their expense.
Dozens of cities and states -- such as Minnesota, Alaska, Vermont and Oregon -- have already replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day.
Now, in response to the nationwide protests and conversation surrounding racial inequality, people have been
tearing down statues of Columbus to bring awareness to the cruelty he brought upon indigenous people.
Christopher Columbus: Why he wasn't the hero we learned ...
I suspect it just depends on who is doing the reporting. I watched a Documentary on Columbus on Discovery Channel some time ago, and they were not too flattering of him either.
One final link
Was Christopher Columbus a Hero or Villain? - Biography