All we learn about Columbus is that in 1492 he sailed the ocean blue. We are taught that he found and explored America but what we don't learn about is what he did to the native people. Columbus first writes in his journal "They do not bear arms, and do not know them for I showed them a sword-they took it by the edge and cut themselves." (Zinn, page 202) Then he writes "They would make fine servants. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want." (Zinn, page 202) Columbus is fully aware these "Indians" are not hostile or dangerous in any way but he still decides to torture and murder these pe
ople.
ople.
5 comments:
So informational! What a quality post!
This post is incredibly descriptive, I have learned more of Columbus than I thought I ever would.
Why, according to Zinn, do we not learn about how the native peoples were treated? What does the legend of Columbus tell us about the uses of history?
Were the native peoples of the Bahamas always peaceful and the Spaniards always violent?
A good post, nice use of short quotes. Include the title of the article next time. Zinn has written numerous books and articles so "Zinn, p.202" is not enough to identify your source, especially if you are not providing a link to the source.
I think it is incredible how innocent our perception about the Columbus story is. I am just now, in college,learning the truth about what really happened so many years ago.
We were always taught the basics about Christopher Columbus and it is unbelievable how we are learning the truth now how he really treated the Native Americans.
Post a Comment