christopher columbus essay

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Christopher Columbus

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 11, 2023 | Original: November 9, 2009

The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502. He was determined to find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he stumbled upon the Americas. Though he did not “discover” the so-called New World—millions of people already lived there—his journeys marked the beginning of centuries of exploration and colonization of North and South America.

Christopher Columbus and the Age of Discovery

During the 15th and 16th centuries, leaders of several European nations sponsored expeditions abroad in the hope that explorers would find great wealth and vast undiscovered lands. The Portuguese were the earliest participants in this “ Age of Discovery ,” also known as “ Age of Exploration .”

Starting in about 1420, small Portuguese ships known as caravels zipped along the African coast, carrying spices, gold and other goods as well as enslaved people from Asia and Africa to Europe.

Did you know? Christopher Columbus was not the first person to propose that a person could reach Asia by sailing west from Europe. In fact, scholars argue that the idea is almost as old as the idea that the Earth is round. (That is, it dates back to early Rome.)

Other European nations, particularly Spain, were eager to share in the seemingly limitless riches of the “Far East.” By the end of the 15th century, Spain’s “ Reconquista ”—the expulsion of Jews and Muslims out of the kingdom after centuries of war—was complete, and the nation turned its attention to exploration and conquest in other areas of the world.

Early Life and Nationality 

Christopher Columbus, the son of a wool merchant, is believed to have been born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451. When he was still a teenager, he got a job on a merchant ship. He remained at sea until 1476, when pirates attacked his ship as it sailed north along the Portuguese coast.

The boat sank, but the young Columbus floated to shore on a scrap of wood and made his way to Lisbon, where he eventually studied mathematics, astronomy, cartography and navigation. He also began to hatch the plan that would change the world forever.

Christopher Columbus' First Voyage

At the end of the 15th century, it was nearly impossible to reach Asia from Europe by land. The route was long and arduous, and encounters with hostile armies were difficult to avoid. Portuguese explorers solved this problem by taking to the sea: They sailed south along the West African coast and around the Cape of Good Hope.

But Columbus had a different idea: Why not sail west across the Atlantic instead of around the massive African continent? The young navigator’s logic was sound, but his math was faulty. He argued (incorrectly) that the circumference of the Earth was much smaller than his contemporaries believed it was; accordingly, he believed that the journey by boat from Europe to Asia should be not only possible, but comparatively easy via an as-yet undiscovered Northwest Passage . 

He presented his plan to officials in Portugal and England, but it was not until 1492 that he found a sympathetic audience: the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile .

Columbus wanted fame and fortune. Ferdinand and Isabella wanted the same, along with the opportunity to export Catholicism to lands across the globe. (Columbus, a devout Catholic, was equally enthusiastic about this possibility.)

Columbus’ contract with the Spanish rulers promised that he could keep 10 percent of whatever riches he found, along with a noble title and the governorship of any lands he should encounter.

Where Did Columbus' Ships, Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria, Land?

On August 3, 1492, Columbus and his crew set sail from Spain in three ships: the Niña , the Pinta and the Santa Maria . On October 12, the ships made landfall—not in the East Indies, as Columbus assumed, but on one of the Bahamian islands, likely San Salvador.

For months, Columbus sailed from island to island in what we now know as the Caribbean, looking for the “pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices, and other objects and merchandise whatsoever” that he had promised to his Spanish patrons, but he did not find much. In January 1493, leaving several dozen men behind in a makeshift settlement on Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), he left for Spain.

He kept a detailed diary during his first voyage. Christopher Columbus’s journal was written between August 3, 1492, and November 6, 1492 and mentions everything from the wildlife he encountered, like dolphins and birds, to the weather to the moods of his crew. More troublingly, it also recorded his initial impressions of the local people and his argument for why they should be enslaved.

“They… brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks’ bells," he wrote. "They willingly traded everything they owned… They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features… They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron… They would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”

Columbus gifted the journal to Isabella upon his return.

Christopher Columbus's Later Voyages

About six months later, in September 1493, Columbus returned to the Americas. He found the Hispaniola settlement destroyed and left his brothers Bartolomeo and Diego Columbus behind to rebuild, along with part of his ships’ crew and hundreds of enslaved indigenous people.

Then he headed west to continue his mostly fruitless search for gold and other goods. His group now included a large number of indigenous people the Europeans had enslaved. In lieu of the material riches he had promised the Spanish monarchs, he sent some 500 enslaved people to Queen Isabella. The queen was horrified—she believed that any people Columbus “discovered” were Spanish subjects who could not be enslaved—and she promptly and sternly returned the explorer’s gift.

In May 1498, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic for the third time. He visited Trinidad and the South American mainland before returning to the ill-fated Hispaniola settlement, where the colonists had staged a bloody revolt against the Columbus brothers’ mismanagement and brutality. Conditions were so bad that Spanish authorities had to send a new governor to take over.

Meanwhile, the native Taino population, forced to search for gold and to work on plantations, was decimated (within 60 years after Columbus landed, only a few hundred of what may have been 250,000 Taino were left on their island). Christopher Columbus was arrested and returned to Spain in chains.

In 1502, cleared of the most serious charges but stripped of his noble titles, the aging Columbus persuaded the Spanish crown to pay for one last trip across the Atlantic. This time, Columbus made it all the way to Panama—just miles from the Pacific Ocean—where he had to abandon two of his four ships after damage from storms and hostile natives. Empty-handed, the explorer returned to Spain, where he died in 1506.

Legacy of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus did not “discover” the Americas, nor was he even the first European to visit the “New World.” (Viking explorer Leif Erikson had sailed to Greenland and Newfoundland in the 11th century.)

However, his journey kicked off centuries of exploration and exploitation on the American continents. The Columbian Exchange transferred people, animals, food and disease across cultures. Old World wheat became an American food staple. African coffee and Asian sugar cane became cash crops for Latin America, while American foods like corn, tomatoes and potatoes were introduced into European diets. 

Today, Columbus has a controversial legacy —he is remembered as a daring and path-breaking explorer who transformed the New World, yet his actions also unleashed changes that would eventually devastate the native populations he and his fellow explorers encountered.

HISTORY Vault: Columbus the Lost Voyage

Ten years after his 1492 voyage, Columbus, awaiting the gallows on criminal charges in a Caribbean prison, plotted a treacherous final voyage to restore his reputation.

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Columbus reports on his first voyage, 1493

A spotlight on a primary source by christopher columbus.

On August 3, 1492, Columbus set sail from Spain to find an all-water route to Asia. On October 12, more than two months later, Columbus landed on an island in the Bahamas that he called San Salvador; the natives called it Guanahani.

For nearly five months, Columbus explored the Caribbean, particularly the islands of Juana (Cuba) and Hispaniola (Santo Domingo), before returning to Spain. He left thirty-nine men to build a settlement called La Navidad in present-day Haiti. He also kidnapped several Native Americans (between ten and twenty-five) to take back to Spain—only eight survived. Columbus brought back small amounts of gold as well as native birds and plants to show the richness of the continent he believed to be Asia.

When Columbus arrived back in Spain on March 15, 1493, he immediately wrote a letter announcing his discoveries to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who had helped finance his trip. The letter was written in Spanish and sent to Rome, where it was printed in Latin by Stephan Plannck. Plannck mistakenly left Queen Isabella’s name out of the pamphlet’s introduction but quickly realized his error and reprinted the pamphlet a few days later. The copy shown here is the second, corrected edition of the pamphlet.

The Latin printing of this letter announced the existence of the American continent throughout Europe. “I discovered many islands inhabited by numerous people. I took possession of all of them for our most fortunate King by making public proclamation and unfurling his standard, no one making any resistance,” Columbus wrote.

In addition to announcing his momentous discovery, Columbus’s letter also provides observations of the native people’s culture and lack of weapons, noting that “they are destitute of arms, which are entirely unknown to them, and for which they are not adapted; not on account of any bodily deformity, for they are well made, but because they are timid and full of terror.” Writing that the natives are “fearful and timid . . . guileless and honest,” Columbus declares that the land could easily be conquered by Spain, and the natives “might become Christians and inclined to love our King and Queen and Princes and all the people of Spain.”

An English translation of this document is available.

I have determined to write you this letter to inform you of everything that has been done and discovered in this voyage of mine.

On the thirty-third day after leaving Cadiz I came into the Indian Sea, where I discovered many islands inhabited by numerous people. I took possession of all of them for our most fortunate King by making public proclamation and unfurling his standard, no one making any resistance. The island called Juana, as well as the others in its neighborhood, is exceedingly fertile. It has numerous harbors on all sides, very safe and wide, above comparison with any I have ever seen. Through it flow many very broad and health-giving rivers; and there are in it numerous very lofty mountains. All these island are very beautiful, and of quite different shapes; easy to be traversed, and full of the greatest variety of trees reaching to the stars. . . .

In the island, which I have said before was called Hispana , there are very lofty and beautiful mountains, great farms, groves and fields, most fertile both for cultivation and for pasturage, and well adapted for constructing buildings. The convenience of the harbors in this island, and the excellence of the rivers, in volume and salubrity, surpass human belief, unless on should see them. In it the trees, pasture-lands and fruits different much from those of Juana. Besides, this Hispana abounds in various kinds of species, gold and metals. The inhabitants . . . are all, as I said before, unprovided with any sort of iron, and they are destitute of arms, which are entirely unknown to them, and for which they are not adapted; not on account of any bodily deformity, for they are well made, but because they are timid and full of terror. . . . But when they see that they are safe, and all fear is banished, they are very guileless and honest, and very liberal of all they have. No one refuses the asker anything that he possesses; on the contrary they themselves invite us to ask for it. They manifest the greatest affection towards all of us, exchanging valuable things for trifles, content with the very least thing or nothing at all. . . . I gave them many beautiful and pleasing things, which I had brought with me, for no return whatever, in order to win their affection, and that they might become Christians and inclined to love our King and Queen and Princes and all the people of Spain; and that they might be eager to search for and gather and give to us what they abound in and we greatly need.

Questions for Discussion

Read the document introduction and transcript in order to answer these questions.

• Columbus described the Natives he first encountered as “timid and full of fear.” Why did he then capture some Natives and bring them aboard his ships?
• Imagine the thoughts of the Europeans as they first saw land in the “New World.” What do you think would have been their most immediate impression? Explain your answer.
• Which of the items Columbus described would have been of most interest to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella? Why?
• Why did Columbus describe the islands and their inhabitants in great detail?
• It is said that this voyage opened the period of the “Columbian Exchange.” Why do you think that term has been attached to this period of time?

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Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of the New World

In the annals of history, few names resonate as profoundly as Christopher Columbus’s. To many, he is a visionary navigator, a daring explorer who courageously ventured into the uncharted waters of the Atlantic, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a fierce determination. To others, he symbolizes European imperialism, whose voyages led to the colonization and subjugation of indigenous populations. This dichotomy presents a tantalizing enigma: Who was Christopher Columbus truly? Beyond the folklore and mythology, who was the man who set foot on the shores of the New World in 1492? This essay will traverse the seas of time, dispelling myths and unearthing facts as we journey alongside Columbus on his epoch-making voyage to the Americas. Through a lens of historical scrutiny, we will attempt to understand this seminal figure’s motivations, challenges, and legacies, setting the stage for a deep exploration into the repercussions of his discoveries.

Table of content

The landscape of the late 15th century was a tapestry of burgeoning empires vying for dominion and wealth. Europe, especially, was in the throes of a profound transformation. Renaissance ideals were fanning the flames of knowledge, art, and human potential. Cities like Florence and Venice were not just magnificent hubs of culture; they were cauldrons of ambition, with tales of Marco Polo’s adventures to the East echoing in their streets.

Against this backdrop, nations like Spain and Portugal were engaged in an intense rivalry, seeking the elusive and profitable passage to the East. The overland Silk Road, though historically significant, had its limitations and dangers. Moreover, the Ottomans’ control over Constantinople in 1453 challenged Europe’s access to the Asian trade markets. Maritime supremacy became the watchword of the day.

Enter Christopher Columbus – a Genoese sailor with a grand vision. Armed with a blend of experience and audacity, Columbus believed the key to these Eastern riches was not by navigating around Africa, as the Portuguese were attempting, but by sailing westward. Though met with skepticism from various quarters, this idea found a sympathetic ear in the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. Columbus’s ambitious dream was poised to become a reality with their patronage.

However, more than the promise of trade fueled this venture. There was an undercurrent of religious zeal, as Christendom hoped to find a route to spread Christianity to the East. Columbus himself harbored such hopes, as evident in his writings.

This chapter sets the stage for Columbus’s monumental voyage, exploring the confluence of economic aspirations, geopolitical rivalries, and personal ambitions that propelled him into the vastness of the Atlantic.

The Journey

In the late summer of 1492, the harbors of Palos, Spain, were abuzz with frenetic activity. Three ships – the Niña, the Pinta, and the stately Santa Maria – anchored side by side were being outfitted for an expedition into the unknown. Sailors exchanged whispers of both anticipation and trepidation. Many were venturing out of the confines of the known world, fueled by a cocktail of hope, fear, and curiosity.

Under Columbus’s leadership, the flotilla embarked on this daring voyage, charting waters that, according to some naysayers of the time, hid leviathans and where the horizon might drop into oblivion. The ocean’s vastness proved to be both a challenge and a marvel. Stars that once felt familiar to these seasoned sailors took on new patterns, and the compass, their trusted ally, began behaving unpredictably as they ventured farther from home.

Days turned into weeks. The monotony of the open sea, with its endless blue horizons, tested the crew’s mettle. Whispers of mutiny began to circulate as land remained elusive. However, with a blend of stern leadership and guile, Columbus managed to quell the rising discontent, promising his crew that they were on the cusp of discovery.

Then, in the pre-dawn hours of October 12th, a cry echoed from the Pinta’s lookout: “Tierra! Tierra!” (Land! Land!). The relentless expanse of the Atlantic had finally yielded its secret. As dawn broke, an island, lush and teeming with life, unfurled on the horizon – presenting a world untouched by European footsteps. Unaware that they had stumbled upon a new continent altogether, Columbus and his crew believed they had reached the outskirts of Asia.

The challenges and tribulations of this voyage were not merely physical but psychological. Columbus’s journey was a testament to human endurance and navigation skills and the indomitable spirit of exploration and discovery. This chapter seeks to recreate the highs and lows, the anxieties and elations, of this historic passage across the Atlantic.

Encounter with the Natives

As Columbus and his men disembarked, they found themselves amidst a world startlingly distinct from their European milieu. This land was painted with the vivid hues of tropical flora and filled with the harmonious notes of unfamiliar fauna. Nevertheless, most arresting were the inhabitants of this newfound land, the native peoples, who looked on with curiosity and caution.

The indigenous tribes, diverse in their cultures and languages, had lived in harmony with their surroundings for millennia. Their societies were intricate tapestries of tradition, spirituality, and communal kinship. From the intricate patterns they weaved in their baskets to the tales they spun around evening fires, these tribes possessed a vibrant heritage.

Initial encounters were marked by a sense of wonderment on both sides. The natives, skin bronzed by the sun and adorned with feathers and beads, approached the Europeans, fascinated by their pale complexions, shining armor, and large vessels. In his journals, Columbus often vacillated between admiration for their gentle nature and a patronizing tone, noting their “naivety” as an opportunity for both conversion to Christianity and subjugation.

However, as days turned into months, the veneer of mutual fascination began to crack. The Europeans’ insatiable hunger for gold and other treasures put them at odds with the indigenous populations. Barter turned to coercion, and coercion soon gave way to violence. Many natives were forced into servitude, their freedoms curtailed, and their cultures derided. The dichotomy of the Europeans’ approach – marveling at the ‘New World’ while attempting to mold it in their image – set the stage for centuries of colonial conflict and cultural erosion.

The Impact of the Discovery

The wake of Columbus’s voyages sent ripples across the Atlantic and worldwide, ushering in an era of transformation on an unprecedented scale. This newly discovered realm, abundant in resources and potential, became the cynosure of European ambitions, altering geopolitics, economies, and societies in ways previously unimagined.

Economically, the ‘New World’ opened up a treasure trove for Europe. Precious metals, particularly gold and silver from the mines of South America, began flooding European coffers. This influx of wealth, while bolstering the fortunes of monarchies like Spain, also wreaked havoc on European economies by leading to inflation and economic disparities.

Nevertheless, it was not just mineral wealth that reshaped the global landscape. The Columbian Exchange, as historians call it, was a vast bi-directional transfer of plants, animals, technologies, and even diseases. Tomatoes, potatoes, and maize, staple diets of many countries today, were introduced to Europe, while horses, cattle, and wheat made their way to the Americas. The cultural and culinary landscapes of entire continents were rewritten, creating a rich tapestry of global interconnectedness.

However, this exchange came with its shadowy underbelly. Diseases from Europe, such as smallpox, for which the indigenous populations had no immunity, decimated tribes, wiping out vast swathes of native inhabitants. It is a somber testament to the unintended consequences of exploration.

On the sociopolitical front, the discovery heralded the rise of European colonial empires. Territories were claimed, borders were drawn, and indigenous populations were often subjugated and marginalized in their ancestral lands. The seeds of modern nation-states in the Americas were sown, often drenched in the blood of colonial conflict and native resistance.

As waves of European settlers arrived, they also brought their beliefs, religions, and ways of governance, forever altering the societal mosaic of the New World. The spread of Christianity, in particular, became a cornerstone of colonial policy, leading to the establishment of missions and the often forceful conversion of indigenous populations.

Modern Perspectives

As the mists of time roll forward, the figure of Christopher Columbus, once celebrated with near-mythic reverence, now stands at the intersection of evolving historical narratives and present-day discourses. Today, as we stand on the precipice of a globalized, interconnected world, the legacy of Columbus is reevaluated through lenses tinted with nuances and introspection.

The earlier portrayals of Columbus, especially in Western education, painted him as an intrepid explorer, a symbol of human tenacity and the quest for knowledge. Parades, statues, and even a national holiday in the United States were instituted in his honor, commemorating the ‘discovery’ of a new land. To many, Columbus became emblematic of the spirit of exploration and the breaking of frontiers.

However, a paradigm shift began to unfold in the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st. Historians, anthropologists, and indigenous activists began to spotlight the darker facets of the Columbian encounter. The tales of exploitation, enslavement, and ecological upheaval started to challenge the monolithic narrative of Columbus as a hero. In modern classrooms and public discourses, the emphasis shifted to understanding the profound human and environmental costs that accompanied the European incursion into the Americas.

Furthermore, indigenous voices, long marginalized in retelling their own history, began to resurface with vigor. Their oral histories, traditions, and perspectives provided a counter-narrative, re-centering the story from one of ‘discovery’ to one of ‘invasion’ or ‘encounter.’ The implications of this linguistic shift are profound, reframing the entire narrative to be more inclusive and representative.

Today, statues of Columbus, once erected with pride, have become flashpoints of contention in some regions, with debates raging over their removal or preservation. These debates are emblematic of a broader societal reckoning with colonial legacies and the quest for historical truth.

Columbus’s discovery of the New World changed the course of history. While his achievements in navigation and exploration cannot be denied, it is essential to approach his legacy with a nuanced understanding. The history is enlightening and cautionary, reminding us that every action has repercussions.

By focusing on the various facets of Columbus’s journey and the subsequent consequences, this essay sample offers a comprehensive overview of a turning point in global history. The aim is to foster a balanced perspective, highlighting both the achievements and the dark sides of the era of exploration.

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About the Contest

Since 1996, NIAF has proudly joined with the National Christopher Columbus Association (NCCA) to sponsor an annual national essay contest on a topic related to Christopher Columbus for high school students throughout the United States.

Three outstanding essays are chosen from amongst the submissions to win a cash prize. The first-place winner receives a $1,200 prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington to read the essay at the Columbus Day event in Washington.  The second-place winner receives $500 and the third-place winner receives $300.

Christopher Columbus’s transatlantic voyages are largely considered the beginning of the Age of Exploration. How did Columbus’s voyages set the stage for the Age of Exploration and impact European commerce and politics?”

Program Details

The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12 in public, private, or parochial schools, or to those who are home schooled. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, gender, or national origin.

For more information regarding the specific criteria of the essay, please visit the link below.

Important Dates

All submissions must be sent as PDF or Word Document format via e-mail to [email protected] .

Deadline: March 15, 2024 11:59pm EST

Notification: June 15, 2024 5:00 pm EST

Was Christopher Columbus a Hero or Villain?

Columbus Day churns up a stormy sea of controversy every year: Was Christopher Columbus a gifted navigator or reckless adventurer?

Columbus never discovered America but his voyage was no less courageous

Even if you were to overlook the not-so-minor fact that millions of people were already living in the Americas in 1492, the fact is that Columbus never set foot on the shores of North America. In fact, October 12 marks the day of his arrival to the Bahamas. While he did reach the coasts of what today are Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, as well as explore the Central and South American coasts, he never unfurled a Spanish flag in North America. ( Leif Eriksson is the first European believed to have sailed to North America, having reached Canada 500 years before Columbus set sail to the west.)

He didn’t reached Asia as planned, but you can’t discount the sheer will required to make his journey. Beginning at the age of 41, he defied naysayers across Europe and led four voyages across an uncharted ocean in wooden sailing ships that weren’t designed to take on the punishing waters of the Atlantic.

Many already believed the world was round

By 1492, most educated Europeans already believed the earth was round. In fact, it was an idea that had been established by the ancient Greeks in the 5 th century BCE. Contrary to the popular myth, Columbus didn’t set out to prove that the world was round, but rather that it was possible to sail around it, a voyage the explorer drastically underestimated.

He had struck a lucrative deal with the Spanish

Columbus stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain. His contract with the monarchs, called The Capitulations of Santa Fe, named Columbus the admiral, viceroy, and governor of any land he discovered. It also stated that Columbus could keep 10 percent of any “merchandise, whether pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices, and other objects” that he “acquired” within the new territory. Columbus might indeed have had noble intentions when he sailed west, but his agreement with Spain suggests his intentions were far from selfless.

He enslaved and mutilated Indigenous peoples

When Columbus first set foot on Hispaniola (what is now Haiti and the Dominican Republic), he encountered a population of Indigenous peoples called the Taino. A friendly group, they willingly traded jewelry, animals, and supplies with the sailors. “They were very well built, with very handsome bodies and very good faces,” Columbus wrote in his diary. “They do not carry arms or know them... They should be good servants.” The Indigenous peoples were soon forced into slavery and punished with the loss of a limb or death if they didn’t collect enough gold. Between the European’s brutal treatment and their infectious diseases, within decades, the Taino population was decimated.

He was arrested by the Spanish Government

In 1499, the Spanish monarchs got wind of the mistreatment of Spanish colonists in Hispaniola, including the flogging and executions without trial. Columbus, who was governor of the territory, was arrested, chained up, and brought back to Spain. Although some of the charges might have been manufactured by his political enemies, Columbus admitted to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella that many of the accusations were true. Columbus was stripped of his title as governor.

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Several european countries had rejected columbus.

For nearly a decade, Columbus lobbied European monarchs to bankroll his expensive quest to discover a western sea route to Asia. In 1484, he tried unsuccessfully to get support from King John II of Portugal, whose experts believed Columbus had underestimated how far he would need to sail. Three years later, he appealed to King Henry VII of England and King Charles VIII of France but was once again turned down. He was even initially rejected by Spain in 1486, but the Spanish monarchs changed their mind and eventually agreed to fund his trip.

Good or bad, Columbus created a bridge between the old and new world

In what has become known as the Columbian Exchange, Columbus’ voyages enabled the exchange of plants, animals, cultures, ideas, and, yes, disease between the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Once the Europeans were able to reach nearly all parts of the globe, a new modern age would begin, transforming the world forever.

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104 Christopher Columbus Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best christopher columbus topic ideas & essay examples, 📍 interesting topics to write about christopher columbus, 💡 good essay topics on christopher columbus, ❓ christopher columbus discussion questions.

• Christopher Columbus: Life, Discoveries, and Contributions Christopher Columbus was born in the Republic of Genoa in the middle of the 15th century. It led to the development of market relationships and the emergence of new items in Europe.
• The Four Voyages by Christopher Columbus The voyages were made in the Caribbean and Central America between 1492 and 1504 following the consent granted to him by the monarch. In the course of his expedition, he discovered and named the Island […] We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• “Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress” by H. Zinn Focusing on two major issues – the difference between the native civilizations and the Western civilization in the context of sharing; and the depopulation of the natives in Bahama due to Spanish exploitation and natives […]
• History of Christopher Columbus’ Voyage Each country was famous for its particular products and searching for the new way to the East with the purpose to make increase the delivery of goods might be the reason for financing the voyage.
• Zheng He and Christopher Columbus as Great Explorers Besides, he is renowned for his voyages that were of the state of the art, and he played a major role in the economic development of China.
• Analysis of Christopher Columbus Voyage According to Butterway, the fallacy anchored on the aim of Christopher’s voyages was that he was not motivated by the possibility of gaining more wealth for himself and his Spanish government, but to construct the […]
• “The Letter of Discovery” by Christopher Columbus The extensive description of the journey along with the highly detailed depiction of people inhabiting America, the environment, and the related issues, can be seen as the primary advantage and strength of the letter.
• Columbus’ Letter to Luis de Sant Angel Regarding the First Voyage Columbus heard that the people living on the second island at the entrance to India are considered the most ferocious and eat human flesh.
• “Sea of Lentils” by Rojo and “The Four Voyages of Columbus” by Columbus The conquest principles of possession and the nobility of purpose are first introduced and discussed in the context of Columbus’s text.
• The Concept of American Dream: Examples of Columbus and Bradstreet Bradstreet’s other dream was to be able to secure a position in the ‘New world’ and still be seen as a woman who cares for her family.
• Columbus’ Voyage to America The purpose of this paper is to reveal the factors that have drawn the Europeans to the exploration of the New World.
• C. Columbus and the Underground Railroad The claim that Columbus was the first person to discover America can be disapproved by the fact that; the Muslim had encountered contact with the people of the American land long before Columbus came into […]
• Was Christopher Columbus an Imperialist? The travel narratives of Christopher Columbus were given in the Letter and Journal of Columbus. The Letter by Columbus was addressed to his mentors namely Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, is not just a narrative […]
• European Expansionism: Columbus, Arawaks, and Aztecs Zinn and Stannard in their works expose that the new settlement was attended by gross interference into the peaceful life of the indigenous population, provoking war and leading to the indigenes’ total extermination.
• The Changing Legacy of Christopher Columbus The current legacy of Columbus states that he was the first person to discover America and that he had set sail to prove that the Earth was round and hence an oceanic voyage westward would […]
• The Voyages of Christopher Columbus Through the means of his discoveries, Christopher Columbus shattered the myth that the world was flat and that the entire planet was centered on the holy town of Jerusalem.
• The Life of Christopher Columbus He was much fascinated with Marco Polo who had managed to travel across Europe to India in reaching the far East, and it was in this context that the idea was born in him to […]
• Columbus Day: An Incorrect Celebration The impression received by the school child is that a promising age of wealth and discovery was launched by this single explorer, bringing Europe out of the dark ages and into the light of the […]
• First Voyage of Columbus and Biography of John Smith In a few words, the explorer is trying to assure the king that the decision to send him on the voyage was sensible and would surely turn profitable, He also mentions the magic word of […]
• The Heirs of Columbus: Discovery and Innovation As such, the introduction of the New World to Europeans can be seen to have initiated the development of innovative thought in terms of anthropology, philosophy, social sciences, as well as biology, and geography.
• Christopher Columbus as a Famous Historical Figure Basically, the political aspects of the modern world should be attributed to the efforts and achievements of Christopher Columbus. In conclusion, Columbus is accredited for the discovery and exploration of the Americas after his successful […]
• Columbus’ Discovery for Western and Native Civilizations Instead, the article promotes the message of acknowledging the idea that the discovery of America led to immense progress, societal growth, innovation, and development.
• Period of the Indians Discovery by Christopher Columbus Each extract from the letters is a unique opportunity to learn and try to understand the past and history.”The Diario of Christopher Columbus ” is the story of how the Admiral found the land and […]
• Traveling With Columbus: How to Have a Smooth Trip If cameras and phones are not allowed during the trip, they would have to rely on drawings and paintings to capture the beauty of the newly discovered lands and the unique culture of the island […]
• Columbus’s Encounter With Caribbean Natives The history of the discovery by Caribbean people of Christopher Columbus in the service of the king and queen of Spain who assumed he was on the coast of China has explained the impact of […]
• West European Studies: Columbus’ Journey The period from the beginning of the 15th century until the end of the 17th century was marked as the Age of Discovery.
• Christopher Columbus and His Condescending Attitude Columbus’ entrepreneurial family initiated him into the world of seafaring, however it was the expansion of the Turkish Empire that fired up his imagination with regards to testing the claim that the earth is round […]
• Technology and Colonization: Columbus Discovers the ‘New World’ The mission to the discovery of the new world was enhanced by the ruler of Spain in 1492. The spirit of colonization was enhanced by the struggle for supremacy and the increased technological advancements that […]
• Rethinking Columbus, Rediscovering America: In Search for the Promised Land Speaking of the most appropriate way to introduce the new facts about Columbus to the elementary school students, a teacher can possibly start with asking the kids what they know about Columbus and his adventure.
• Christopher Columbus- Not an American Hero This is generally because the discovery of America is greatly attributed to Columbus who in 1942 is said to have visited the Central America.
• Columbus Discovered America in 1492 and How It Impacted the History of America To begin with, it is profound to note the contemporary civilization being experienced in America was mainly triggered by the Columbus’ discovery of 1492.[1] While some historians may argue that the American civilization was bound […]
• A Biography and Actions of Christopher Columbus, an Italian-Born Spanish Explorer
• A History of the First Voyage of Christopher Columbus in a Letter to King Ferdinand of Spain
• A Look at the Impact of Christopher Columbus in the History of America
• An Analysis of Christopher Columbus and the Spread of the Religion of Catholicism in America
• An Analysis of the Discovery of the America by Christopher Columbus in 1492
• An Examination of the Morality and Personality of Christopher Columbus
• An Overview of the Curiosity of the European Countries and the Travels of Christopher Columbus
• Christopher Columbus: American Hero or Is It All Just a Sham?
• Christopher Columbus And The New Era Of Exploration
• Christopher Columbus, Corn And Potatoes: How The New World Fed The Old
• Christopher Columbus Voyage to the New World
• Comparison of Christopher Columbus & Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca
• Differences And Similarities Between John Glenn And Christopher Columbus
• Factors Contributing to Christopher Columbus’ Voyage
• Genocide in the Letters and Documents of Christopher Columbus, Cabana De Vaca and Las Casas
• History: Christopher Columbus And George Washington
• How Contemporaries Depicted Hernan Cortes and Christopher Columbus
• How Natives Today React Christopher Columbus
• If Christopher Columbus Returned To The “New World” In The Year 2000
• Marco Polo’s Influence on Christopher Columbus
• The Columbian Exchange By Christopher Columbus
• The Debate About Honoring Christopher Columbus
• The Difference between Myth and Reality about Christopher Columbus
• The Face of America If Christopher Columbus Have Not Discovered It
• The Fact and Fiction Surrounding Christopher Columbus Voyage
• The Historical Legacies of Christopher Columbus
• The History Behind Tobacco Goes As Far Back As Christopher Columbus
• The Importance and Role of Christopher Columbus in Our History
• The Inevitable American Revolution By Christopher Columbus
• The Life, Achievements and Influence of Christopher Columbus
• The Life and Times of Christopher Columbus
• Theme of Cannibalism in the Age of Exploration in the Writings of Christopher Columbus
• Themes Of Cannibalism And Torture At Christopher Columbus
• The Motivations of Christopher Columbus and Father Jogues in Coming to the New World
• The Portrayal of Christopher Columbus in Elementary School
• The Positive and Negative Impacts of Christopher Columbus on the Americas
• The Significant Contributions of Christopher Columbus
• The True Story Of Christopher Columbus
• The Ugly Truth Behind the Expeditions of Christopher Columbus
• Truth About Christopher Columbus: The Man Behind a Genocide
• Was Christopher Columbus A Man Responsible For The Decimation
• Positive Impact Of Christopher Columbus ‘s Discoveries
• The Age Of Exploration By Christopher Columbus
• Did Christopher Columbus Shape Global History?
• What Does Columbus Say About the Natives That Might Attract the Attention of Christian Missionaries?
• How Did Chinese Rudder Affect Christopher Columbus?
• Was Christopher Columbus a Pirate or Hero?
• What Does Columbus Say That Might Attract the Economic Ambitions of Ferdinand and Isabella?
• How Influential Was Christopher Columbus to Spain and Europe?
• Why Christopher Columbus Isn’t the Person, He’s Presented to Be?
• How Did Contemporaries Depict Hernan Cortes and Christopher Columbus?
• What Do Columbus and the Crew See on Their Voyage?
• Why Did Christopher Columbus Not Discover America?
• How Do Native Americans Today React to Christopher Columbus?
• What Are Some Contributions Left by Columbus?
• How Different Would Be the Western Civilization if Christopher Columbus Had Not Discovered America?
• Do You Think That Columbus Should Be Glorified? Should Columbus Day Still Be Celebrated?
• How Would You Describe the Tone of Christopher Columbus’ Letters?
• What Were Christopher Columbus’ Intentions for His Voyage?
• Do You Think Columbus’ Actions Could Be Classified as a Genocide?
• How Does Columbus Describe the Reason for His Expedition, and Its Beginning?
• What Is the Voyage Across the Atlantic Like for Columbus and His Sailors?
• Should We Consider Christopher Columbus a Villain or a Hero?
• How Did Columbus Describe the Natives?
• In What Ways Might Politics and Economics Have Influenced, and Perhaps Biased, Columbus’s Account of His Discovery?
• How Did Columbus Describe the Landscape of the New World and Its Inhabitants?
• What Kind of a Person Was Christopher Columbus?
• Should Columbus Day Be Removed From the Calendar and if So, Why?
• Was Columbus the First European to “Discover” America?
• What Were the Names of Columbus’ Three Ships? What Were Some of the Difficulties in Columbus’ First Expedition?
• Where Do We Derive the Term “Indian Giver?” How Did the Explorers Misinterpret This Generosity?
• How Was Columbus Regarded in Spain Upon His Return? What Was Spain’s Second Voyage to the New World?
• What Differentiates Columbus’ Third Journey From Other Expeditions? Where Did He Land on His Third Journey?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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The National Christopher Columbus Association Essay Contest

Since 1996, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) has joined with the National Christopher Columbus Association to sponsor an annual national essay contest on Christopher Columbus. The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12 in public, private, or parochial schools, or to those who are home-schooled. This contest is conducted without regard to race, religion, gender, or national origin.  

2023-2024 Topic

Christopher Columbus’s transatlantic voyages are largely considered the beginning of the Age of Exploration. How did Columbus’s voyages set the stage for the Age of Exploration and impact European commerce and politics?

Essay Criteria

Essays must have a word count between 800-1,200 words and will be judged for historical accuracy, adherence to topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness. In addition to the required length, students must include the following elements in their essay:

• A title page with an original title, name, mailing address, e-mail address, phone number, school, grade, and word count
• MLA formatted citations and bibliography
• 3 number of print/non-internet sources

Important dates

• All submissions must be sent via e-mail to [email protected] by the deadline below for consideration.
• Deadline: 11:59 PM EST March 15, 2024
• Notification: June 15, 2024 by 5:00 pm EST

Recognition

First, second and third-place national winners are selected after judging on a national level. To qualify for first place, the winner must be able to go to Washington, D.C. to read his or her winning essay at the Christopher Columbus Celebration. The first-place national winner will receive a $1,200 prize in addition to paid lodging and transportation to Washington, D.C. in October for the winner and one parent or guardian to attend the NCCA’s annual Columbus Day Celebration and read their essay. The second place national winner receives $500, and the third-place winner receives $300.

Previous Winners

2023 – Logan Kneller

2022 – John Hill

2021 – Joseph Stetson

2020 – Anna Newby

2019 – Margaret Hartigan

2018 – Francesca Testen

2017 – Rachel Elizabeth Grace

2016 – M. Meer

2015 – Claud J.A. Boyd

2014 – Anita Ramaswamy

2013 – Victoria Anne Youngs

2012 – Audrey Lee

2011 – Taylor Barnhart

2010 – Lucas A. Hadley

2009 – Naomi K. Wells

2008 – Christina Jean Moazed

2007 – Hayley Schoeppler

2006 – Catharine Magdalene Wingfield Clayton

2005 – Irtefa Anwara Bibte-Farid

2004 – Monika Grzesiak

2003 – Ami Patel

2002 – Mary Colene Burns

2001 – Winchester Adkins

2000 – Craig L. Bucki

1999 – John Victor Danford

1998 – Ryan A. Stoner

1997- Crissia Ahnna Reay

Annual Celebration

The annual civic Columbus Day Ceremony is set against the backdrop of the National Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain in Christopher Columbus Circle located in the Nation’s Capital.  One block away from historic Union Station and the United States Capitol, the program features:

• “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band
• United States Joint Armed Forces Honor Guard
• Knights of Columbus Color Corps with Historical Flags of the U.S
• Presidential and Mayoral Proclamations
• Diplomatic Corps from the Embassies of Spain, Italy, Bahamas
• Presentation of National Youth Essay Contest Winner
• Wreath Presentations by Embassies, Fraternal, Civic, Service, and Patriotic Societies

Each year the NCCA creates and distributes a program book at the National Christopher Columbus Celebration. Please consider taking out an ad for yourself, your business, or your organization to help support the ongoing work of the NCCA.

Florist Information

For those organizations participating in the wreath ceremony at the National Christopher Columbus Celebration, the NCCA strongly encourages using Amanda’s Arrangements & Garden Center  to build and deliver your wreath to Columbus Circle.

Directions to Event

Essay on Christopher Columbus

Students are often asked to write an essay on Christopher Columbus in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Christopher Columbus

Who was christopher columbus.

Christopher Columbus was an explorer born in Italy around 1451. He is famous for sailing across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. He wanted to find a new route to Asia but instead landed in the Americas, which were unknown to Europeans.

Columbus’s Voyages

Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain. He visited islands in the Caribbean, such as the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola. His voyages opened the way for the widespread European exploration of the Americas.

Impact of Columbus’s Discoveries

Columbus’s journeys changed history. They connected the Americas to Europe and started European settlements in the New World. But his arrival also led to the suffering of Native Americans, who faced diseases and were forced from their lands.

250 Words Essay on Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was a famous explorer from a long time ago. He was born in Italy around 1451. Many people know him because he sailed across the ocean and reached parts of the world that Europeans had never been to before. His voyages marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Columbus made four big trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain. He wanted to find a new way to get to Asia, but instead, he found a place that was new to Europeans. On his first trip in 1492, he reached an island in the Caribbean. He thought he had found India, so he called the people he met “Indians.” During his later voyages, he explored more of the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America.

Ships and Crew

On his first journey, Columbus had three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. These ships were small and sturdy, built to handle the open sea. He had a crew of sailors who worked hard to sail these ships across the unknown ocean.

Columbus’s Legacy

Columbus’s trips had a big impact on the world. They led to Europeans coming to America and starting new lives there. But not everything was good. The arrival of Europeans caused many problems for the native people, like diseases and losing their land. Today, people have different opinions about Columbus. Some think he was a hero for exploring, while others focus on the bad effects of his journeys. Schools and books often teach about Columbus so that students can learn about this important part of history.

500 Words Essay on Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was a famous explorer from a long time ago. He was born in 1451 in a place called Genoa, which is now part of Italy. Columbus became well-known because he went on big trips across the ocean a long time before airplanes were invented. Many people remember him because they think he was the first European to discover the land that would later be called America.

His Big Idea

Columbus had an idea that if he sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean, he would find a new way to get to Asia. Back then, people wanted to find new routes to Asia to trade for spices and silk, which were very valuable. Columbus thought the world was round, and he could reach Asia by going west instead of east around Africa. He was very determined to prove his idea was right.

Getting Ready to Sail

To go on his trip, Columbus needed ships and a crew. He asked the rulers of different countries to help him, but many said no. Finally, the King and Queen of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, said yes. They gave him three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. With these ships and his crew, Columbus was ready to set out on his adventure.

The Voyages Begin

Columbus made a total of four trips across the Atlantic Ocean. On his first voyage in 1492, he left Spain and sailed west. After many weeks, he and his crew saw land. They landed on an island in the Bahamas, which Columbus named San Salvador. He thought he had found Asia, but he was actually in a place that was completely new to Europeans.

On his later voyages, Columbus explored more islands in the Caribbean and even reached the coasts of Central and South America. But he never realized he had found a continent that was not Asia.

The Impact of His Journeys

Columbus’s voyages had a big impact on the world. They led to more exploration and eventually to Europeans moving to the Americas. This changed the lives of the people who already lived there and the course of history for the whole world.

Remembering Columbus

People have different feelings about Columbus. Some think he was a hero for his bravery and for finding new lands. Others point out that his journeys led to difficult times for the native people in the Americas. Because of this, some places celebrate Columbus Day, while others choose to remember the history and cultures of the native people instead.

Christopher Columbus is a name that many school students learn about. He was an explorer who lived a long time ago and went on big trips across the ocean. His voyages changed the world in many ways, and people still talk about him today. Whether seen as a hero or not, Columbus is an important part of history that helps us understand how the world we live in came to be.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Fate of city's Christopher Columbus statue remains unclear despite heartfelt debate

Columbus statue's fate still uncertain as public meetings tiptoe around the elephant in room.

About 40 people gathered Tuesday evening in a fourth-floor banquet room at Columbus State Community College, breaking into small groups at round tables and prompted to talk about topics like family, feelings, respect, and authority vs. responsibility.

But the real reason everyone was there — though it seemed to come up only in passing from time to time during the two-hour meeting — was to address the question: What is the city of Columbus to do with its massive statue of Christopher Columbus , the city's namesake, and a 7,000-pound bronze gift from the residents of Genoa, Italy ?

The statue sat prominently in front of City Hall for 65 years but was stored away out of the public eye on July 1, 2020, after racial justice protesters and some rioters who clashed with Columbus police over the death of George Floyd Jr. just over a month earlier began targeting the statue as a symbol of racism, slavery and genocide.

The city has been ever-so-slowly and carefully crafting a plan that might eventually return the statue to a less-prominent public or private space, surrounded with contextual information that would lay bare all of the reasons that Columbus, while an early European explorer and major historical figure, shouldn't be considered a role model.

"What I hope will happen is that the city will take into account that the impact of whatever they do in either direction is much deeper than just aesthetics," said Kimberly Brazwell, who led the meeting on behalf of Reimagining Columbus, a project funded by the city and the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project.

The project is committed to creating new public art and commemorative spaces that reflect the city’s collective history, values, and aspirations. "And to reckon with our city’s namesake, Christopher Columbus," according to literature on the project's mission.

What is Christopher Columbus really known for?

City officials need to "realize that there are generations of stories that are tied in any direction as to whether it (the Columbus statue) should be up or not," she said.

For some people, the statue represents a "pain point," making it difficult to create context around it if it should be brought back on display someplace, Brazwell said. The context has to incorporate people's stories and "their context for how they're processing history."

The program dialogue used by Reimagining Columbus didn't seek to simply ask the participants: How do you feel about bringing back the city's statue?

To get the discussions going, provocative topics were thrown out, like how might you describe the essence of your culture at its worst and its best? Or how might colonization have impacted the way you understand or experience your cultural "roots?"

Columbus State's Columbus statue never came up

Although the gathering was held at Columbus State, it never came up that the community college was hiding a Columbus statue, too . Its 20-ton statue was removed just ahead of the city's statue in 2020, but for identical reasons.

But there was a table at the back of the meeting room for participants to leave written thoughts on whether the city's Columbus statue should be brought out of storage, including what would be an appropriate space to display it if it were.

"The decision has to ultimately go back to the city on what are you going to do," Brazwell said.

City's Italian-Americans fear they're being erased

To members of the city's Italian community, the gift from the residents of Genoa, Italy, Columbus' sister city, was more than just a statue of the city's namesake. It was a coming of age .

Landa Masdea Brunetto's father and grandfather hurriedly worked through the night in the family's machine shop to fabricate specialty bolts and washers needed by the next day to erect the newly arrived statue of Christopher Columbus outside Columbus City Hall.

Masdea Brunetto has been attending all the meetings held on the matter, and is hopeful that the statue can come out of exile.

Masdea Brunetto noted that Columbus was chosen for Italian Americans as their cultural symbol by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892, following the 1891 New Orleans lynchings of 11 Italian-Americans and immigrants by a mob, the largest mass lynching in U.S. history.

"If it was Marconi, no one would be saying anything. The statue would still be here," Masdea Brunetto said. " ... The Italians are being erased, and no one is standing up for us."

The immediate plan for now is to continue with the public meetings, where the stories and experiences are gifts to be exchanged, helping to define and refine what a statue is supposed to mean.

"Partly what's happening is whose family story is going to win," Brazwell said.

Tension leads some to decline publicly identifying themselves

"Statue yes or no? To me, that's a waste of time," said one woman hanging out at a table as the two-hour meeting was breaking up for the night. She declined to give her name, but said she participated in the protests that led to Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announcing that the statue would be removed as "one more barrier to meaningful and lasting change to end systemic racism.”

"If, now, if they're saying we're going to put it back up, what that says to me is that was all bull----," the woman added of Ginther's announcement.

That prompted a middle-aged man at the table, who had previously disclosed that he's an Italian-American, to jump in on behalf of Columbus. "He's a man. He had a heartbeat. He got in a thing the size of a trailer home and went across the ocean. It is intellectually dishonest to judge people from another generation."

Or, in this case, from 1451.

Even if the city is named after him (which at least one man at the event indicated also may need to change), why have a statue of him?

Because Columbus "had a lot of guts," responded the middle-aged man, who also declined to give his name, saying anti-statue protesters had visited his house after he wrote a letter to the editor on the subject.

Such is the tension caused by a statue of an almost 600-year-old figure that people on both sides at a public meeting thought twice about giving out their identities when speaking publicly for fear of repercussions.

[email protected]

@ReporterBush

Home — Essay Samples — History — Christopher Columbus — Christopher Columbus: A Controversial Figure in History

Christopher Columbus: a Controversial Figure in History

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

Words: 588 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

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The voyages of christopher columbus, legacy and controversy, reevaluating columbus's legacy.

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