Christopher Columbus

“How should history view Columbus and what is the
significance of his voyages?”




After five centuries, Christopher Columbus remains a mysterious and controversial figure. He has been described as one of the greatest mariners in history, a visionary genius, a mystic, a national hero, a failed administrator, a naïve entrepreneur, a symbol of slavery and genocide, and a ruthless and greedy imperialist.

The question becomes “Who is Christopher Columbus?” Is he really the man that some Americans describe as a hero, whose journey was the first step in a long process that eventually produced the United States? Or is Columbus’ character flawed as others have suggested.

To fully understand the motives behind Columbus and his idea of sailing westward, you have to look at the time period in which he lived. He lived during a time when Europe was in great turmoil caused by disease, famine, and religious persecution. It was also the beg...