Natalie Mendolia

Form II History
October 2, 2011

Columbus: Deciphering the Legacy

Christopher Columbus is known as an hour of North, South, and Central Americas
history. Sailing over the uncharted waters of the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, he was in high search of
a sea route in Asia---a direct path to fame and riches. In turn, Columbus unexpectedly reached a
small island in the Caribbean. He mistook his destination for Asia, and claimed it for Spain, thus
entering into the realm of colonization and business. Historians agree that the explorer is a
definite historic icon, but they argue whether or not his legacy should be dubbed evil or
exemplary. Not only must Christopher Columbus be regarded as a hero for his character and
impact on history, but also because many of the reasons he is criticized are erroneous.
Columbuss ambition, bravery, and loyalty allowed him to make headway on his goals
and create a successful atmosphere for himself---a vital ability for a hero. Before the time of
Columbus, changing your social status was rare, and took great amounts of effort. Representing a
new and changing time period, he disregarded his status of a weavers son, and moved on to
become his own boss (Koning 20). In doing this, Columbus unknowingly set himself up for a
major success and permanent place in historys line of heroes. Traversing the Atlantic Ocean in
search of a sea route to Asia, Columbus took a large risk, and sailed westward. His chance of
perishing at sea and never reaching land was pushed to the side by his blind will to become a
hero. Argued by Henry Bamford Parker, Columbuss confidence in, enthusiasm for, and
dedication to his dream are what set a major example for future explorers (20). Columbuss third
voyage was not one meant for discovery of new territory, but had the sincere intention of helping
his queen. He set sail on that particular expedition to give her relief for the sorrows which death
had caused her (Columbus 100). The Queens son had passed away, and she was to a deep
mourning period. By doing so, he attempted to repay a person who had given him great
opportunity to endeavor to his dreams and aspirations. Heroes and Columbus alike possess the
admirable trait of generosity. These traits are not just one of an ordinary person, but oen capable
of great influence, strength, and power.
Columbus demonstrates his heroic status and influence by leaving a large and positive
impact throughout history and on society. Columbus traveled to the New World accompanied by
ideas of enterprise and capitalism. These complexities would soon flourish when coming in
contact with the minds of new civilizations and people. He was the impetus for the spread of
Christianity, European values, and culture, ultimately the ideas of freedom and democracy.
Without the exposure and extent of these ideals, modern society would be changed drastically.
Each year, we commemorate the chains of events inspired directly by Columbuss actions of
which majorly included the migration of English settlers and their initial implication of our
values today (Falcoff 2). Krisitna Coln makes a point that her culture, mestizo community, and
her physical self would not have existed without the mistakes of the explorer (1). Although many
argue Columbus destroyed the possibility of equality between races it is evident that when rain
falls on the ashes of conquest, God molds a new people from the clay (1). In a convoluted
sense, he gave the abused natives a name for themselves as those who bore pain and defilation in
order to uncover opportunities for an advanced future. Christopher Columbus also paid tribute to
his homeland. His first voyage was meant to increase tensions between Spain and Portugal
(Beck et al. 86). Surely a hero to Spain, Columbus claimed and marked major territory (also a
very large asset) for his country. His voyage gave incentive for American colonizationa
momentous period that would leave marks on North and South American cultures of today. Not
only is this reason to credit Columbus as a hero, but also the fact that this spur of events enriched
Spains empire (Beck et al. 86).
Historians have wrongly accused Columbus of being intentionally evil and tyrannical,
while his motives and actions are merely misunderstood. It is a common misconception that the
native population of the 1490s declined almost ninety-five percent due to his malicious and
inhumane treatment of them as slaves. In his writings, Mark Falcoff explains that the native
population did not decrease because of an ambitious explorers greed and mass genocide, but due
to the presence of new diseases. He critically argues that the conquistadors were not interested in
murder but in people to perform labor work. As he wrote, They wanted to have the Native
Americans as workers and Christians, not as corpses (1). The purposes of his voyages were
specifically meant to begin the colonization process of new land in order to gain assets for Spain.
Killing of all the natives who were the fundamental aspect of this objective would not have
benefited the Spanish in the least. Bartolom de Las Casas describes the same theory and point in
his literature: it is true that Columbuss influence greatly changed the world, and that his
involvement with the Native Americans was lethal. On the contrary, Columbuss naivety and
ignorance as to knowing the consequences of his actions allows us to prove his heroism and his
legacy. The debate over Columbuss standing in history comes to an end when asked this
question: is the path to progression, evolvement, and succession of civilizations through
bloodshed and carnage? (Zinn 9-11). Most do not come to accept this major reality of human
achievement: the fact of the matter is that with all major advancements in history, someone must
become the victim; something must lose. With the exploitation of these erroneous argument
presented by historians, the beneficial side of Columbuss legacy is revealed.
Although Columbus inadvertently cause the major native population decrease of the late
fifteenth century, his impact on history and our world today was vital to the evolution of society.
The voyages and existence of Christopher Columbus should not be correlated with negative
consequences, but with immense benefits: human rights, idealism, and early democracy. All
achievements throughout the framework of human civilization came with sacrifice; the death of a
person gives life to the cause they died for. He had the heroic ambition to commence the
sacrifice needed to make the world progress, which would in turn lead to a realm of endless
opportunity. In all, Columbus Day should be proudly celebrated---to acclaim the American
dreamer who courageously crossed the Atlantics waters, made a detrimental mistake, yet
unveiled our unknown world of possibility.