Columbus_and_the_Native_Americans__Two_Perspectives_of_History

Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. This is a well-known memory device learned in grade school that does not begin to tell the whole story. Columbus’ discovery of the New World led to both triumph and devastation. These two words best describe the situation even though they completely contradict one another. There are always two sides to a story, and in this instance the perspectives are that of the humble Native Americans of America and Columbus, the noble voyager who accidentally stumbled onto a land full of promise. Both viewpoints are discussed in the articles “Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress” by Howard Zinn, “Hero making, Christopher Columbus” by James Leowen, and Chapter 1 in the American Pageant by David Kennedy. In reading both the textbook and the articles, several distinctions become apparent. It is said that history is written by the victorious. Throughout our textbook it states that the Native Americans were massacred, but it only mentions this in passing. Rather, the textbook emphasizes the bigger picture. It talks more about the country that was discovered rather than the people who lived here. It talks of the Americas as a whole rather than zooming in to the people and separate nations that were once indigenous to the land. The textbook is written from the perspective of Columbus, the victorious explorer. In this way, Columbus is viewed as a hero and a celebrity to the European people. Columbus comes from a world of politics, power, money, rank and status, and a culture who considered itself elegant and refined. It is much easier for white historians to take on the perspective of Columbus because they share the same cultural heritage. This perspective is how the majority of textbooks are written, with Spain and Portugal officially victorious. But Kennedy does not only write about Columbus and the Native Americans. He talks about America’s history from its formation to every well-known crusader, explorer, and priest who stepped foot onto the new-found continent. Columbus, however, does get his fair share of the chapter. But, instead, of only focusing on Columbus’ change, Kennedy does much more; he included the entire history of America. This serves as another difference between the two articles. This “big picture” viewpoint is the primary difference between Kennedy and Zinn’s and Loewen’s articles. With Zinn’s and Loewen’s articles, this piece of history is put into a different light. It is written from the perspective of the Native Americans. In reading these articles it is clear that the Native Americans came from a much different background. These were humble people who had no sense of greed or dominance. They “were remarkable for their hospitality, their belief in sharing” (Zinn pg. 1). They lived as one with the Earth, with their beliefs shown in their kindness and generosity towards one another. This is remarkable considering what is usually thought about these people. Both Zinn’s and Loewen’s articles offer greater insight into the lives of these Native Americans. They are written from the perspective of the conquered, rather than the victorious. But that is not the only insight these articles provide us. Unlike the textbook, the articles take this one event and go into great detail about it. The purpose of the articles is different than that of the textbook. They are specifically writing about the battle between the Native Americans and Columbus rather than an entire history of America. Some people have learned how to attain a “quiet acceptance of conquest and murder in the name of progress” (Zinn pg. 8). No one living in America can say what our lives would be like if Columbus had not been victorious. Needless to say, it would probably be very different. This assumption makes it that much easier to accept our country’s past. However, it would be arrogant to say that the outcome is for the better, because, in truth, no one really knows. We have no idea what things might be like if history had not happened exactly as it did. In my opinion, there is a reason everything happens whether it is good or bad. Therefore, it is safe to say that no matter which way these events are perceived, they are what makes up our history, our country, and who we are as a people. Most Americans can agree that the United States is meant to be a unified nation. It is filled form shore to shore with different people, who have different ideas and different perspectives. It is the American ideal that we find a way to live together despite our differences. What is important is that we recognize and accept responsibility for our disasters just as we do our triumphs. In conclusion, Kennedy’s textbook chapter is more focused on the broader scheme of America, and it emphasizes Columbus’ story more so than that of the Native Americans. Zinn’s and Loewen’s articles are more detailed about the lives of the Native Americans and, therefore, emphasize their side of the story. However, even though these writings have differences, they all share a common purpose. This purpose is to promote a more accurate, complete, and balanced history of our nation to anyone who has a desire to learn about it. Works Cited: Kennedy, David M, Cohen, Lizabeth, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006 Loewen, James W. “Hero-making, Christopher Columbus.” Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong. (June 26, 2010) Zinn, Howard. “Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress.” A People's History of the United States. (June 13, 2010)