“Christopher Columbus introduced two phenomena that revolutionized race relations and transformed the modern world: the taking o
f land, wealth, and labor from indigenous peoples, leading to their near extermination, and the transatlantic slave trade, which created a racial underclass… Spaniards hunted Indians for sport and murdered them for dog food. Columbus, upset because he could not locate the gold he was certain was on the island, set up a tribute system... The Indians all promised to pay tribute.. every three months... With a fresh token, an Indian was safe for three months, much of which time would be devoted to collecting more gold... the Spanish punished those whose tokens had expired: they cut off their hand.” ~Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen 2. Does Loewen seem to have a positive or negative view of Columbus? How do you know this?
3. We have recently seen growing controversy regrading statues celebrating Christopher Columbus in America (Click HERE for an example). Charles Kendall Adams lived from 1835 to 1902. Loewen’s book was published in 1995. In your informed opinion, why do you think views on Columbus are changing over time?
Q2. I believe Loewen has a negative veiw of Columbus. I believe this because he seemed to identify all of Columbus's mistakes, and crimes against the indigenous people of that time. While reading the passage, I too felt a small spark of anger with the crimes committed. Q3. I believe the outlook on Columbus is changing because we are acquiring more time to study his actions against the people, not only his "bringing of a new land".
