Regarding Columbus' voyages during 1942, which marked the beginning of globalization, it is interesting to see how the explanation of history changes. While history itself does not change, people can interpret and see it from different perspectives. I remember in elementary school, Columbus was described as a great traveler and explorer who discovered America. When told in that manner, we focused only on what a great person he was and whom without, we wouldn't be here in this land today. I always wondered what happened to the Native Americans who lived here before Columbus, but was under the impression that they willingly gave in and Columbus' people accepted and treated them well. Gratefulness and awe is how we were taught to look at this man.
I appreciated that this history book told us the other half of Columbus' story - one that fills in the cracks of what my elementary school days taught me. While the Europeans may have had good intentions in taking over the Americas, with the missionaries desire to spread Christianity and save the "savage" state of the people and land, I think its horrible that they brought along with them diseases. Also, it was stated that many of the Natives were forced into slavery and/or looked down upon by the Europeans. I understand though that it must have been a difficult process to try to communicate with the natives, and that possibly to Columbus, this was all purely business - for economic and territorial reasons. I am still not completely sure of the details of how the Europeans tried to communicate with them and how many rights/freedom they had in the Americas at that time.
As an American today, little attention is given to our land's history. And while I am not 100% proud of what Columbus did to the natives and how the European domination of the Americas killed off most of their people and culture, it's amazing how far America has evolved since then.
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