Christopher Columbus Research–Ruiqi Cao

Ruiqi Cao

English 1110.02, Mon 10:20—11:15AM

Instructor: Cathy Ryan

Assignment: Christopher Columbus Research

March 10th 2017

 

1.“Where did Columbus really set foot on the New World? Theories and sites—site. One small step for a man” Christopher at the Florida Museum of Natural History by William F. Keegan ,October 6, 1991

Source: https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/caribarch/columbus.htm/

Note: “The answers lay in the quality of the evidence. The only detailed information concerning Columbus’s first voyage is contained in his diario. Columbus presented the original to Queen Isabel who had a copy made for Columbus. The whereabouts of the original are unknown, and all trace of the copy disappeared in 1545. What has survived is a copy made by Bartolomé de las Casas — a thirdhand manuscript handwritten in sixteenth-century Spanish that has numerous erasures, unusual spellings, brief illegible passages, and notes in the margins. The ambiguities, errors, and omissions in this manuscript have been compounded in modern-language translations.”

Abstract: This passage written by William F. Keegan is mainly talking about the where was the real place that Columbus set his foot on the new world. The author used history, legend, long term debate and computer technology to explain and support his hypothesis. He came out the idea that Columbus visited four native village and spent three days at there. Using the archaeological evidence, he finally believed that Island Guanahani and then renamed is as San Salvador is the place Columbus first set his foot on.

  1. “Columbus in history”

source: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/columbus/col3.html

Notes: Christopher Columbus was literally in the right place (Spain) at the right time (the dawning Age of Discovery) to set his place in history. America was the right place at the right time to appropriate, simplify, and mould Columbus to reflect the image of an independent and growing America. Columbus is found throughout American popular culture, national commemorations and memory, and prominently in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Randolph Roger’s massive bronze Columbus Doors express this vision of Columbus, the ultimate visual expression of America’s self-identity as embodied in the explorer. He “emerged from the shadows, reincarnated not so much as a man and historical figure as he was a myth and symbol. He came to epitomize the explorer and discoverer, the man of vision and audacity, the hero who overcame opposition and adversity to change history.”

Abstract: Combining the opinion of history, the author used his perspective analysis Christopher Columbus. As the saying, “We arouse and arrange our memories to suit our physical needs.” We used multiply history records of Christopher Columbus fit the experience and actions of Columbus.More importantly, the author mentioned a critical and interesting point — Columbus’ first democratic experience in modern times. He argues that Christopher, as a great explorer, was particularly resonant for the new public.

 

  1. “Christopher Columbus suffered From a Fatal Form of Arthritis” May 06, 2005 university of Maryland medical center

source: http://umm.edu/news-and-events/news-releases/2005/christopher-columbus-suffered-from-a-fatal-form-of-arthritis

Notes: According to historical records, Columbus’ first sign of illness began abruptly at age 41 with an attack of “the gout” during a violent storm on his return from the first of four voyages of discovery. In subsequent years, he suffered from what is believed to be influenza, other fevers, bleeding from the eyes, and recurrent and prolonged attacks of the suspected gout. “Columbus doesn’t embody the stereotypical portly man inclined toward rich foods and alcohol, too much of which can lead to gout,” says Dr. Arnett.

Abstract: In this passage, the author used medical perspective anaylsis the death of Christopher Columbus. In his opinion, the death of Columbus is caused by several factors. He talked about each factor separately and make it convincing by using his critical thinking and logic.  Firstly, a serious form of arthritis  left him crippled with high fevers. Secondly, there are some genetic problem with him. Finally, the lack of medicine is another contributor to his death.

  1. Columbus Day: American Holocaust and Slave Trader By Roy Cook

Source: http://www.americanindiansource.com/columbusday.html

Note: “On April 17, 1492, before his first voyage to the Americas, Columbus negotiated a business contract with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, entitling him to 10% of all profits.” “Beyond profits, Columbus sought to convert native people to Catholicism. In the prologue to his journal of the first voyage”

Abstract:  this passage illustrated the dark side of Christopher Columbus. There is no perfect person. Even as a hero, he will be intrigued by profit and interests. Roy believed that Christopher has human nature – selfish. He is not a god and also made many mistakes during his era such as using slaves. In his perspective, the public should use a critical thinking to evaluate him instead of blindly praising him.

5. The four explorations of Christopher Columbus by Francisco Lopez de Gomara

March 8th , 2017

Note: The first vovage:“Only 90 men made the first voyage of discovery from Palos Spain. The ships were quite tiny by modern standards — no longer than a tennis court, and less than 30 feet wide. ”

The Second voyage: “Christopher Columbus departed Spain on September 25, 1493, on his second voyage to the New World. 17 assorted vessels and over 1200 men made up “The Grand Fleet” in an attempt to establish a permanent Spanish colony.

The third voyage: “Columbus left the port of Sanlucar in southern Spain on May 30, 1498 with six ships. Leaving the Canary Islands on June 19, the fleet split into two squadrons: three ships to sail directly for Hispaniola with supplies for the colonists, and the other three to explore further south.”

The forth voyage “”Columbus made his fourth voyage from Spain to the Americas in 1502. He was such a sure navigator by then that the 3500-mile voyage took a mere 21 days.”

Abstract: This article specifically describes four voyage with numerous details. It greatly challenges the common sense that finding the “new world” is completed. Furthermore, it illustrated that every voyage encountered several problems.

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