From what I can remember of learning about Columbus in elementary school, I’ve been taught that he is a man who should be revered and greatly honored. I live in the United States, where Columbus Day is even celebrated as a federal holiday! I used to think it was a pretty well deserved holiday for someone who proved the Earth was not flat, needless to say, my knowledge of Columbus was limited and highly superficial. Never was there any mention of violence and slavery. Nor did we learn about Columbus’s efforts to force Christianity on the natives and subdue them in an effort to seek gold and other riches. It is clear though, from these readings, that from Christopher Columbus’s first contact with the native people in “india,” he already had their domination in mind. One of the very first things he describes upon seeing the natives is how easy it would be overpower them and how readily they would become good Christians. He writes, “one could keep the whole population in subjection and make them do whatever one wanted.”
It is interesting to read a primary source like Columbus’s journal because in way it transports you to the world in which he is describing. You imagine for a moment that you are discovering a new place, or in Columbus’s case, you think you are discovering a new place. The way he writes makes the Indies sounds like the most beautiful, breathtaking, awe-inspiring, paradise “unknown” to man. Considering whom the writing is addressed to reveals that Columbus was very eager to please the King and Queen of Spain. It seemed he was desperately trying his best to convey how valuable his expedition would be to the crown and the motherland. He wrote of promises of endless gold, beautiful land, and docile people. At times he puts out an air of certainty and control, perhaps to make things sound better than they actually were and to reassure the crown that things were going smoothly. However, there were times when he openly expressed his distrust of those around him and skepticism of what people say. He also admits to not being familiar with any of the plants and trees in the area, only that he is sure they would be of good use for tinctures and medicinal spices. In this instance, we realize that Columbus is not much of an explorer in the scientific sense of the term. The focus of his expedition revolves around gold and the search for riches, rather than wanting to discover, classify, and understand the unfamiliar lands, peoples, animals, and plants which surrounded him.
With the writings of Guaman Poma, we come to understand the full extent of the Spanish conquests in the New World, including instances of violence, cruelty, and religious persecution that had been absent in Columbus’s account. However, it could be that Columbus purposely left out any acts violence and cruelty committed by the Spaniards towards the natives. He writes of how the indigenous peoples of Peru were kidnapped, enslaved, and forced to adopt Christianity, despite their own firm set of beliefs and values. Any opposition to these new beliefs would guarantee vicious punishment and consequences. The similarities of both texts lie in the Spaniards intense greed and obsession for gold other riches. Poma writes, “Thus were the first men; they did not fear death with their interest for gold and silver. Worse are the ones of this life, the Spanish corregidores, priests, and encomenderos. With their greed for gold and silver they go to hell.”By the end of Columbus’s letter, he has admittedly failed in discovering the source of all the gold and riches he sees adorned by the natives, yet he is kept motivated by the sheer promise of it in the future.
All in all, the more I learn about Columbus the more I am completely baffled as to why he is given his own holiday. Even taking into consideration that his voyages had an enormous impact in the historical development of the modern Western world, this does not take away from the fact that he essentially opened the Atlantic slave trade and launched one of the most awful waves of genocide against the native population in what is now known as Latin America. It is absurd to think that he is celebrated in the same month that we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Someone who spent his life fighting against the racial prejudice and discrimination that pervaded society even after slavery had been abolished.
camilasol11 
Hi Camila, I also remembering learning that Columbus was the one who proved that the earth was not flat, and that he was someone to be celebrated for “discovering” America. I am learning very quickly that so much of the knowledge we have been given about history is really just a story -and mostly from a Western point of view. Thinking of this now, it makes sense that we were taught what we were when I consider who is giving us this information. That is one of the reasons why I think Guaman Poma’s account is so important because (even though it is pretty obvious though the Journal of Christopher Columbus) it shows a different perspective of how the indigenous people were treated when the Spanish came to America. It seems to be less common for indigenous people to have a voice in the history of their land and culture and more common for a western voice to create their history for them and for the rest of the world.
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This as well was my first time reading Christopher Columbus’s journal. I was also shocked about the violence, slavery, and his desire to convert the natives to Christianity. I found that his journal fluctuated from trying to please the king and queen, to showing his true emotions. As you stated, he should signs of distrust and scepticism of the people around him. This is possibly an indication that in reality his journey isn’t going exactly like he expected, but only briefing does he let that show. He is more focused on his writings pleasing the king and queen. This expedition definitely revolves around his search for gold. I as well noticed that Columbus as left out any acts of violence to the indigenous people he encounter. I thought that maybe it could be possible he was more civil with the people. Although he did capture a few, he did not mention any killings or slaughters. I thought it might be possible that he left such violent information out of his journal, simply in respect for the kind and queen. I have come to the conclusion that his journal is an alter version of the reality of what he truly encountered and experienced, because of his desire to please the king and queen.
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Living in north america we are taught a very western centric view of history. The United States and Canada both have long and troubled histories with the indigenous peoples that were there before colonizers arrived. These conflicts shaped much of the history and societal forms that resonate to this day. Not only did Columbus open up conflict and eventual genocide to many native peoples, but his arrival also led to a massive environmental change. I remember learning of the Great Colombia Interchange. Species (and diseases) from the Old World were brought to the New and vice versa. This exchange of species has had profound effects on the native ecosystems of the Americas. Also the arrival for example of horses greatly changed the culture of many native american groups. Columbus is celebrated especially in the United States as a hero and great explorer who opened the Americas to Europe yet his cruelty towards the natives and the beginning of the great environmental changes that he began are very often swept under the rug.
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I went to High School in Seattle, Washington, a fairly “progressive” state. One of my core classes was American History. The first assignment we had was to defend or attack Christopher Columbus in an essay format based on chapter 1 of the class textbook. I remember reading that chapter and wanting to chuck the textbook out the window. Columbus was described as a hero, a ground breaker, and a pioneer. There was no mention of his selfish objectives, his Eurocentric epistemology and his ignorance. It seems to me that the US education system has failed to teach both sides of the story. History is nothing more than a history of stories, narratives that are told from a position of power and perpetuated or manipulated over time to suit a political objective. It upsets me that in 2014 we have not been able to use the high school classroom as a space in which we can delve into the different narratives that construct a point in time. Surely, many will think that high school students aren’t intelligent enough to be able to understand that there are histories and not just one history. However, I believe that if we don’t teach people to become open minded when there minds are being hardened, then by the time we find them mature enough to “handle” it it will be too late.
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I am also from Northern California (Davis) and was taught similar ideas in my elementary school. I remember the glorification of Columbus and Spanish conquistadors through art projects, holidays, and positive stories. I agree that it is baffling, and that the subject is taught in this way because it benefitted the expansion of the Western world. Reading the writings of Gauman Poma brought the situation into a more full perspective for me as well, and I think that Columbus did omit violence and conflict in order to maintain his dream-like goals.
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Hi, its interesting to see opinions from people who learned about Columbus in high school, as I never did because I went to school in Vancouver. All I had previously known about him was that he had discovered the new world had had his own holiday and was considered a hero. From a newcomers perspective, I also found it quite shocking to see the darker side to the story, and to realize how many details Columbus likely left out.
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