Note: “It is not Columbus’s fault that he was made a hero by the textbook writers and teachers in European and United States schools. We must examine our own views for the answer, says Koning. From the eyes of a free enterprise capitalist, Columbus is an example of the kind of can-do entrepreneur who is the economic ideal of the United States–hard working, going for what he wants, pushing to make it work, striving against overwhelming odds to succeed. Such attitudes fostered manifest destiny, the expansion westward, onward to the west for a bigger and better America. Yes, Columbus fit right into this model. He was so much part of this image of great America that his minor faults could be overlooked. We needed role models for our children to look up to and admire and emulate. Columbus could fit this model, if the image was distorted enough to ignore the wholesale slaughter of human life under his command.
So what now? Do we ignore that Columbus ever made his voyages of discovery? They were, we have to admit, fantastic voyages in any age, even today.”
Abstract: This source talks about how we have been taught about Columbus being a hero and an inspiration to all, and now what to do with the information that maybe in order for him to reach the fame that he did he had to get his hands dirty.
Citation:
Pahl, R.H. “How Should We Teach about Columbus-As a Hero or a Villain? A Commentary on Hans Koning’s Columbus..” Social Studies, vol. 83, no. 1, Jan/Feb92, p. 27. EBSCOhost,
PT