It is known by many as to what had happened after Americas discovery. This is the Monster Celebrated on Columbus Day, The American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World, Multicultural View of Christopher Columbus Story, The Rise of Sexual Assault in the Military. The reason Columbus set sail on his epic journey in the first place was because he raped the 13-year-old daughter of a Spanish Duchess. And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. Published: October 7, 2021 8.23am EDT Updated: October 7, 2021 9.53am EDT. And yes, I know Columbus was at least in part a product of his brutish times and any nation who landed on Hispaniola in 1492 might have done similar things. The war against the Western heritage. Don't know where to start? I gave them many beautiful and pleasing things, which I had brought with me, for no return whatever, in order to win their affection, and that they might become Christians and inclined to love our King and Queen and Princes and all the people of Spain., Columbus usually treated the Native Americans kindly and brought them gifts in order to win their favor. . In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. It is on public record, that Columbus rewarded his soldiers by giving them Native Americans to rape. Columbus wanted to test this idea. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. If the commemorations dealt at all with the impact of European exploration on the indigenous civilizations already flourishing in these discovered lands, it was often fleeting. 97 students ordered this very topic and got That is, South and Central America to be exact. Specifically, he is credited with being the first European explorer since the Vikings to explore the New World for Europeans. Hi! Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. This was due to the impression that Columbus was attempting to spread Catholic influence. For a long time, Columbus discovery of America was an universally celebrated event, both in Europe and America. The United States and several Latin American countries celebrate Columbus Day to recognize Christopher Columbus striking land in the Americas and the mixing of European and Native American Cultures. In another case, some people think Columbus was a hero because he represents a leader who went far and beyond to find America. Aside from the despicable acts that Columbus and his people committed, there is plenty of evidence to show that Columbus was not the first foreigner to arrive on the continent anyway. Why should we celebrate a man who promoted and distributed so much violence when we can celebrate and honor the history of Indigenous people? Surprisingly, this holiday was first celebrated by Italians of New York in 1866 honoring Columbus's Italian Heritage, but the official celebration in Spain did not . These Natives are so nice, wed be crazy not to enslave them is one contentious quote by Christopher Columbus. While deprivations did occur, Columbus was quick to punish those under his command who committed unjust acts against local populations Columbus did not engage in the savage acts that have been pinned on him., In addition, Columbus strictly told the crew not to do things like maraud, or rape, and instead to treat the native people with respect. Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/two-reasons-why-columbus-day-should-not-be-celebrated/. Columbus Day should be celebrated because Columbus had done a lot to get to the point of sailing. As a direct result of Columbus discovery, indigenous Americans were enslaved, killed and oppressed to such a degree that a population of around 60 million in 1492, fell by 8090% in less than 150 years. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. Columbuss men also killed off slaves whenever needed. So partly, out of spite, here are a few reasons why Columbus Day shouldnt be celebrated. But since the 1990s, a growing number of states have begun to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day - a holiday meant to honor the culture and history of the people living in the Americas both before and after Columbus' arrival. And he was a talented astronomer and navigator. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. This is also apparent when he was trying to get sponsorships for the trips. What Columbus did next was nothing less than shameful. When I got to high school and learned the truth about Columbus I felt betrayed. There were terrible diseases that got communicated to the natives, but he cant be blamed for that., 5. Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. We shouldn't be wasting our time on holidays that won't even. Without him, the modern world would not be the way it is today. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. Destiny is currently enrolled in Columbia University's MFA Writing program. We all own it. I'm Amy, Thankfully, Columbus Day has morphed into Indigenous Peoples Day. He was the catalyst that brought more explorers across the Atlantic, who would eventually begin to explore North America, but it is . And now Ill claim it for us! October 11, 2021 5:00 am. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). It was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that designated the second Monday of October (Columbus Day) as a national holiday in 1971. (He did follow his big brother to the Caribbean two years later.). While there is only limited knowledge of what pre-Columbus America was like, it did feature war, slavery, torture and plenty of brutality. So, no, Columbus did not discover the New World.. Many states celebrate both. He completely miscalculated the distance between Europe and Japan however, estimating it to be around 2,000 nautical miles when the real distance is closer to 11,000. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. Columbus Personified the American Spirit. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Yet in the past few decades, something has changed. Very much like the lyrics of the famous She may be ancient Egypts most famous face, but the quest to find the eternal resting place of Queen Nefertiti has never been hotter. We are a hopeful species. Since August, eight cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, including several in just the last week. (Though it should be noted a large portion of the deaths of Native Americans was due to disease, not violence--an inevitable consequence of Old World illness in New World soil. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. There are many good reasons as to why Columbus Day is such a controversial holiday. How could we look at this from a different perspective? Cathedrals are some of the most awe-inspiring structures in the world, with their grandeur and intricate details captivating visitors for centuries. -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. original papers. "Ignore the propaganda and instead remember Christopher Columbus with gratitude and a clear conscience. So, enjoy the day off and celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. Pre-Columbian civilizations from Mexico to Peru were nearly all responsible for brutal violence on a large scale long before Columbus arrived on the shores of the New World including human sacrifices, even of children, sometimes by tearing out the victims still-beating heart.. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. Architecture of the Floating (Or Sinking) City: How Was Venice Built? I discovered America. Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. Large Increase in U.S. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. Indeed, the promise of the West has delivered freedom and bounty such as humanity has never known. Not just Europeans, but everyone. ), Christopher Columbus initiated the trans-Atlantic slave trade. I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. We should celebrate Indigenous People's Day instead. As of September 2019, nine states (Alaska, Minnesota, Vermont, South Dakota, New Mexico, Oregon, Maine and Louisiana) have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day. "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. He brought with him a letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino-Arawak Indians. Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. As I said in the beginning of this piece, Columbus did not discover what would become North America. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson, also a slave owner, should be remembered for writing one of the most brilliant documents in the history of mankind, the Declaration of Independence, which contributed greatly to the ending of slavery and segregation in the United States. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. Students need to grapple with these multiple perspectives in history and the not-so-pleasant aspects of our past. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. . Chris wasnt a bad guy right? Lately a lot of people have been putting down Western civilization, but its spread is one of the greatest things thats ever happened to humanity. Monday marks Columbus Day, in honor of Christopher Columbus but not all will be celebrating the Italian explorer. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. If you still think Columbus Day is something worth celebrating, here are five other reasons why it isnt: After studying a handful of his favorite books, including the journals of Marco Polo, Columbus became convinced that it was possible to sail directly west to reach the Indies, as China, Japan and India were then known as in Europe. If I sailed to Italy and said that I discovered this land in the name of Rowan University it wouldnt fly right? However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, California State University - Los Angeles, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, California State University, Channel Islands, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San German campus, Keiser University - Latin American Campus, London School of Economics and Political Science, California State University of Sacramento, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, William Paterson University of New Jersey. A recent Marist Poll shows why: Those campaigning against Columbus Day are in the minority. After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. Since then, its spread across the nation with increasing speed, as more than 60 cities from Maine to Washington have supported the idea. As a result, in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Columbus Day into law as a way to celebrate the hero who changed the world (Bragdon 12). If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? Two reasons why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is that we shouldnt have a day where we glorify someone who hurt and enslaved innocent people (Native Americans) and because he destroyed the tranquility in the slaves homes and land with genocide and abuse. Growing up, I wasnt exposed to this truth. Listen I know almost everyone celebrated in history enslaved people. Not if we cant celebrate Christopher Columbus. Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? A main argument for the idealization of the 15th century explorer is the idea that he was the first European to discover the Americas. He wrote in his log: They brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things they willingly traded everything they owned 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 out of ignorance. They would make fine servants With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. @uknowhgse. The plan was to join up once theyd gotten the backing they needed. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, University Overrules Student Senate Activists; Recognizes Conservative Club, A Mansion, Yemen, and Stories of Gods Goodness, Tennessee and Mississippi Pass Bills to Protect Children from Harmful Sex Change Procedures. In addition to The Daily Citizen, his written pieces have appeared in The Daily Signal, Life News, The Colorado Independent, and The Millennial Review. Based on my experience, I think its vitally essential that teachers engage kids as young as sixth grade in questions that really interrogate Columbus. Diseases were spread and were not able to be resisted by the sick slaves. And Bart was left behind on the cutting room floor of history. Columbus was definitely a brave and courageous (and lucky) captain, but his navigational skills left a lot to be desired. There are still people who believe Christopher Columbus found America and that what he did was harmless because he was being a man of his time. Posted by Zachary Mettler | Oct 14, 2019 | Opinion. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. The first reason for why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated is because he committed mass genocide against the Native Americans. But you didnt discover a place that was already inhabited by a peaceful group of people. There were already people living wherever he landed. The New World was discovered within the same timeframe as when slave trade had begun to arise. Jarrett Stepman also writes in his book The War on History, What is never explained is why so-called indigenous peoples are worthy of celebration if Columbus is not. Zachary Mettler works as a staff writer and communications liaison for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. As an anti-paean to a holiday most Americans hardly acknowledge (unless they get a day off), here are a list of reasons that we should remove Columbus Day from our list of federal holidays. The main reason some Leftists dont want to celebrate Christopher Columbus is because his actions supposedly led to the genocide of Native American peoples. This follows both Minneapolis and Seattle, which adopted the new. The American Indian Movement, among other groups, have gone as far as to state that the continuous celebration of this holiday is oppressive towards Native Americans. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. He even made his crew swear an oath that Cuba was not an island but indeed the mainland of Asia, and that China could be reached overland from there. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. And yet he is given an American holiday for discovering AmericaYeah Ill wait for that to make sense. Some of my students entered high school aware of the problematic nature of Columbus but their thinking is, Well, Columbus is not important to study, because he didnt do anything. We have to push back on that. Columbus was from a middle class family. Usable Knowledge Dating back around 200 years, the nonreligious had been adverse to this celebration. 1. But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. There, the brothers should have been exposed to the adventures of another explorer: Leif Erickson. It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage. And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) Growing up, I wasn't exposed to this truth. After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. Other times they would go and massacre an entire village. Another reason why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is because it promotes a distorted view of history. Hence, the inducement cited above.). This kept them from planting crops, leading to widespread starvation. When Columbus landed on the island of Guanahani in 1492, North and South America were . This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. They also show evidence that at least 12 other groups of people entered the Americas before Columbus. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Even though Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician living in Alexandria, Egypt, Columbus never discovered anything. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. It was still his idea to sail west, rather than east to hit the East Indies, right? But the fact of the matter is that he started the colonialism within North America, enslaved groups of people, and laid out the groundwork for others to do the same is damning. The con for Columbus Day written by Elliot Lassitter. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. We need to own it. Columbus went to live in Portugal. Unfortunately, many irksome doings lay deep under the surface. Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. About the author: Daniel Berenson contributes to Medium now and then in this case now with original and unique views on such things as squirrels, politics, fairy tales, history, and Spanish telenovelas. Yet, many continue to believe that America owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus. Why does learning about what Columbus did to Native Americans still matter today? And thanks for reading this. Examine Columbuss "discovery" of America. The artefacts include cave paintings and ceramic art depicting animals, hunting expeditions and the daily lives of people who lived around the Serra da Capivara in Brazil for tens of thousands of years. Except, once Chris had succeeded in Spain, he didnt wait for his brother. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. In any case, we know for a fact that Europeans traveled to America almost 500 years before Columbus. Contrary to popular belief, Columbus Day is a celebration of diversity, not oppression. Their spears are made of cane. As known by many, Columbus Day commemorates the discovery of the New World by none other than Christopher Columbus himself. Why would an academic system praise someone who was so blatantly evil? Two Reasons why Columbus Day should not be Celebrated, This example was written and submitted by a fellow student. The pro for Columbus Day written by John Wirt. Understanding controversies what Columbus did, how he did it, whether we should be commemorating him builds skills that are fundamental for understanding history and social studies. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He sailed to Iceland and Ireland in 1477, and to Madeira in 1478. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. And if you can, take some time to learn more about all the diversity that makes the Caribbean great. Legal Statement. For any subject. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. I doubt it. They would make fine servants. Top 5 Reasons NOT to Celebrate Columbus Day And 1 Reason To History comes with an agenda. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. But as far as I know, no U.S. landfall. Columbus may have recorded that he "found" America, but he was a. mass murderer. Why is he important? And thats even if you discount the fact that native peoples lived in these places all along. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. Columbus killed a tremendous amount of people (genocide), and got away with it because of better equipment, men and control. America is celebrating. Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. Two reasons why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is that we shouldn't have a day where we glorify someone who hurt and enslaved innocent people (Native Americans) and because he destroyed the tranquility in the slaves homes and land with genocide and abuse. Or maybe even plan to discover your own new-to-you islands! Within a few decades, only a few hundred of an original native population of 300,000 remained. In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. Equipping students to grapple with the complexities of the past and the controversies of today, By grappling with the question of who we celebrate, and why, history teachers can help students navigate the complexities of the past, Resurfacing the lessons of Ferguson, which continue to resonate today, From Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, Theres definitely a trend toward questioning Columbus Day. Just as the country grapples with the meaning and problems of Confederate monuments, so too are schools, towns, and even whole states grappling with Columbus Day. Many are deciding to rename and refocus the holiday, choosing to call it Indigenous Peoples' Day to honor the people whose lives and cultures were irreparably damaged by the colonial conquest that the age of exploration ushered into being. Mettler earned his Bachelors degree from William Jessup University and is an alumnus of the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. Since then, it's spread across the. Its 2020 people. And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. In our opinion, this is something to celebrate, not the arrival of Christopher Columbus who led the way for these indigenous populations to have their culture decimated and their population murdered, displaced or forced into slavery. Last updated by Patrick Bennett on 10/02/2021. Well, the Pinta was indeed, the Pinta. - IPL.org; 7.Why We Should Not Celebrate Columbus Day - IPL.org; 8.Why Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated Essay . Italian heritage. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. He asked for 3 more days, and if land was not sighted, the crew could do with him as they wished. Elliott Lassitter and John WirtOctober 26, 2017. Columbus Day, which is celebrated today in the USA and honours the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World, is an example of outdated and misguided history. Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. Columbus Personified the American Spirit Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. On his 1492 voyage, Chris landed on a number of islands including some in the Bahamas very close to mainland Florida. Then they would sail away together to claim their riches. The statue of Christopher Columbus remains encased in a wooden box on Marconi Plaza Aug. 12, 2020, as the sun sets on the day the Philadelphia Art Commission voted to remove it and store it while the city deliberates on a new permanent home for the controversial monument. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Those left were forced to work in mines and plantations. If Columbus had been an Englishman, or a Frenchman, would have they behaved in a different way? To realize this dream, they split up. As part of this plan, Spaniards aimed to convert native peoples to Christianity. His father was a wool weaver, and cheese stand owner. Christopher Columbus wasnt American! Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. Though flawed, Columbus was a great man with an adventurous spirit, sailing the seas to prepare to establish a new world. In short, today is Christopher Columbus Day, and we should all celebrate that. He should be remembered as the cruel and incompetent man he was who let his sailors rape and pillage the islands they landed on as they pleased. The things Columbus did such as capturing the Natives as slaves just made him the man of his time, saying everyone did this, and that he needed the help anyway. European settlers not only introduced new diseases to the Americas that wiped out scores of Indigenous people, but also warfare, colonization, enslavement, and torture. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week.