1.Columbus sailed in 1492.

TRUE This is one fact that the history books got correct.

2. Columbus proved the world was round.

FALSE The majority of the world knew the world was round many years before Columbus.

3. Columbus believed the Indians were good, intelligent people.

TRUE Columbus wrote in his own diary: “They should be good and intelligent servants, for I see that they say very quickly everything that is said to them.”

He believed it, but… He changed his opinion quickly when the Indians began to revolt. His early diaries call the Indians intelligent, but his later diaries call them “stupid.”

4. Columbus was born in Madrid, Spain.

FALSE But why would he keep his nationality a secret? Most historians believe Columbus's own claims that he was from Genoa, but others think that he was hiding his past. For example he may have been a converted Jew. Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, and converted Jews would be suspect as well. The various options for his origin are:- Genoa, Italy is the most often quoted birthplace for Columbus. Genoa, Italy Portugal Catalonia Jewish Corsica Chios Greece Native Language Pirate

5. The names of Columbus’ ships were the Niña, the Pinta, and Santa Maria.

TRUE Well, almost. La Niña was a nickname for the Santa Clara.

6. Columbus sailed west because he wanted discover routes to India.

FALSE You probably learned this in school, but the principal purpose of Columbus’s voyages was GOLD /41docs/01-col.html /41docs/01-col.html "Gold is most excellent; gold is treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world." [2] –Columbus, 1502[2]

7. Columbus was the first person to say the world was round.

Absolutely FALSE This is one of the lies Washington Irving invented in his book. There is absolutely no truth in this AT ALL. Irving only believed it was a good story.

8. Columbus made more than one voyage to the west.

TRUE You took notes that Columbus made 4 voyages to the Caribbean. Only the most famous one was in 1492.

9. Columbus was a good navigator and sailor.

Well…this is your opinion. BUT… You should know that… Columbus died believing that he had landed in India, even though many people tried to convince him that it was really the Caribbean He almost stopped the voyage but his crew encouraged him to continue. He sailed in the wrong direction.

10. Columbus was the first European to go to North America.

FALSE You know from your notes that Leif Ericsson was the first European in North America There is much archaeological evidence to show that there were Europeans in “America” long before Columbus.

11. Columbus had slaves.

TRUE Yes, he had slaves. Many, many slaves. He kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed many of the Arawak people. This is evidenced in the diaries of Columbus, Bartolome de Las Casas, and other Spanish members of his crew. Columbus is responsible for taking more slaves than ANY OTHER PERSON in history. (5,000 +)

12. Columbus got money for his voyages from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.

TRUE The King and Queen gave Columbus money for the voyages, but only on the promise that he take back the worth in gold. When he did not find sufficient gold, he panicked, captured as many slaves as possible, and paid back the monarchs with slaves.

13. Columbus landed his ships in America.

FALSE Well, that depends on this question: what is “America” and what is “discover?” Students in the USA learn he landed here on the famous 1492 voyage. Where was he? In the Caribbean. He WAS in Central America, but… He did NOT discover it.

14. Columbus was arrested for his conduct with the Natives

TRUE CRIMINAL RECORD Arrested in Santo Domingo August 23, Sent to Spain in chains in October Released December 12, 1500 and summoned to court.

15. Columbus discovered America

FALSE So why do people say he did? Well, one reason is Washington Irving’s book. The other reason? Racism (this type is called Eurocentrism) How is it possible that someone can “discover” a land with people already on it? Also, remember Leif Ericsson.

So here’s the essential question…

Why is Columbus celebrated as a hero? Do you think Adolf Hitler and the Nazis were heroes? Columbus and the Spanish Conquistadors were responsible for the deaths of more than 8 million people, ONLY during the Columbus years. In comparison, the Nazis of 1930s-40s Germany exterminated approximately 6 million Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals.

So what were his achievements? (logras) He opened the translatlantic slave trade to the Caribbean He and his crew exterminated, conquered, raped, enslaved and tortured more than 8 million innocent people (directly and indirectly) He intended to reach Asia by west. He did not achieve this.

SO WHY??? That’s a good question. What do you think?

What happened to him? Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid, Spain, on May 20, 1506, at the age of 54. Many years after, scientists studied his symptoms and believe he suffered from Reitter’s Disease, a rare tropical infection. There is evidence Reitter’s is related to an evolutionary form of syphilis, probably contracted through his sexual misconduct with female slaves. In fact, some medical historians believe Columbus possibly brought the disease to Europe. The first episode of syphilis in Europe was reported in 1495.

Great job, everybody Thank you for working so hard on this. It was MUCH reading and invenstigation. I believe students deserve to know the truth. And now, as a reward, here is a little movie (about European colonization, but interesting, AND in Spanish)