Alex’s Bibliography

Christopher Columbus: Hero or Villain

  • Schuman, Howard, et al. “Elite Revisionists and Popular Beliefs: Christopher Columbus, Hero or Villain? | Public Opinion Quarterly | Oxford Academic.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 Jan. 2005, academic.oup.com/poq/article/69/1/2/1911565/Elite-Revisionists-and-Popular-BeliefsChristopher. Accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

Observations and Quotes: “Our national surveys, using several different question wordings, indicate that most Americans continue to admire Columbus because, as tradition puts it, “he discovered America,””.  It appears that this article takes a neutral position on Columbus’ villainy or heroism. The researchers concluded that a substantial number of Americans still support Columbus based on his accomplishments. However, there are groups that believe Columbus was a villain including Revisionist Historians and Native American Activists.

Abstract: The authors of this article emphasize that criticism of Columbus is a result of the “minority rights revolution” that picked up after World War II. Influence from minority groups is argued to have led to revisionist history, where atrocities and unsightly parts of history are hidden by the victors to preserve their image. Revisionists work to uncover injustices against minorities, illegal activities, and the truth behind surrounding many important historical figures.

 

Observations and Quotes: The first voyage described by Columbus in his letter to the treasurer of the Spanish Monarchy details his reports of discovered islands in the Caribbean. He names a couple of the islands himself, and is able to learn of America (although he considered it another island at first). It should be noted that the information he gets is mostly received through natives he has “seized”.

Abstract: The work is a compilation of original writings (translated into English) by Christopher Columbus and other figures of his time period. The publisher and author convey no opinion of his actions, but just information that was transmitted in Columbus’ era.

 

  • “The Four Voyages of Christopher Columbus.” Edited by J M Cohen, Google Books, Penguin UK, 5 Feb. 2004, books.google.com/books?id=c9BUA3vrp7gC&dq=christopher%2Bcolumbus%2Bnative%2Bamericans&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s. Accessed 2 Oct. 2017.

Observations and Quotes: This book contains excerpts from the son of Columbus, Hernando Colon, which has potential to include personal accounts of how Christopher Columbus felt towards the natives of the New World. Moreover, there are detailed maps portraying where Columbus was at certain points in time. This is a useful tool for organizing the many voyages he went on.

Abstract: This publication is another composition of archived information from the pre-colonial time period. It includes personal accounts by the son of Columbus, letters sent to multiple people by Columbus regarding his voyages, as well as maps detailing Columbus’ voyages and geographic location.

 

  • Bartosik-Vélez, Elise. “Globalization and Christopher Columbus in the Americas.” CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 8.4 (2006): Web. 1 Oct. 2017.

 

http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1321&context=clcweb

 

Observations and Quotes: Elise explores the influence of Christopher Columbus on modern history and the state of nations. “Not only did he consistently associate himself with empire in his own writings, European literati and historians consistently associated Columbus with empire.” The author puts emphasis on the influence that Columbus made outside of mere discovery of new land. He was able to claim the land and people for a foreign power, apply Christian influence over the area, and drive the decisions of the monarchy claiming the new land.

 

Abstract: The author compares the use of Christopher Columbus by American Nationalists as a reinforcement for nationalism with the fact that Columbus was a symbol of globalization and transnationalism.