How Is Christopher Columbus A Hero

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Christopher Columbus was a controversial historical figure. Some sources claim Christopher Columbus as a hero, and some other discourses consider him as an oppressive villain. To give context, in 1492, Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer was sponsored by King Ferdinand, and Queen Isabella of Spain on a voyage to find a western sea route to India. Their motivations were to exploit the gold and spices, convert the people to Christianity, and bring back glory to Spain. Although, unaware of the existence of America, Christopher Columbus encountered the Tainos at the arrival on the Caribbean islands, include Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Dominican Republican. Columbus’ mistreatment of these ingenuous people caused the corruption in their culture, and civilization. Therefore, in my opinion Columbus was not a hero.
According to the diary of Christopher Columbus, “Journal of the First Voyage of Columbus” the written account from Columbus’ perspective retold by Bartolome de Las Casas states, “…these [indigenous] people are very simple as regards the use of arms, as your Highnesses will see from the seven that I caused to be taken, to bring home and learn our language and return; unless your Highnesses should order them all… to be kept as captives…; for with …show more content…
This evidence shows that Columbus prioritized the profits of the sugar canes first before the lives of innocent people. One of the character traits of a hero is compassion. Although, Columbus’ atrocious actions show the lack of empathy. His immoral characters were clearly shown in the cruelty of his decisions and othering of the weak. All in all, the pain and tears of others would have not stopped him from his desire to possess riches, and

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