why do they teach children that columbus discovered america?

Question

weren't there millions of natives already on the continent when he arrived? didn't the genocide of the natives begin with his journey?

Answer 1

you are absolutely right. Actually, it is western historians that say, "Columbus discovered America." By that they presumably mean that Columbus discovered America's existence for the westerners. In the east, native teachers say to their pupils, "Christopher Columbus BUMPED into America" and "Ferdinand Magellan's ship RAN AGROUND in Cebu." Hee hee hee.

Answer 2

I would rather ask Who found the Humans? Once upon a time they were staying in a cave, eating uncooked meat, no civilization, no dress, no language, no shelter etc.

The samething happened here too. There were Red-Indians already staying on the land but Columbus was on an adventure journey to findout India but he actually find the Indians on American Land. So he thought that he found India but actually it was America and he bring the people who civilized the whole world and additionally he show the world how to reach to America by Sea. As I know.

Answer 3

Perhaps it is because after Columbus set sail in American soil, the Spanish started a western colony in America. Otherwise, the natives will have to wait for another few decades before they can be embrace a new civilization.

It is true that before Columbus, many explorers have landed in America. Admiral Zheng He from China was amongst the first visitors to America. While they do exchanged gifts, they did not ‘introduce’ their civilization to the natives.

Another argument could be because other explorers merely explores. They have no interest of claiming any land. It was Columbus who vowed to give ‘new land’ to King Ferdinand of Spain. No doubt, Columbus uses directions left by these explorers in finding the new land.

Yes, the process was painful mainly because of communication barrier. Many died of that, we could only wish that the Spanish acted more ‘civilized’ at that time.

Answer 4

It's easier to say that Columbus discovered America, mostly because so many people came here before him, but none where so well documented or known as he was. The Vikings, among others, were here centuries before he was, but there's little to no archeological proof for it. And yes.

The Purtians came here for religious freedom (and other reasons) but one of the first things they did before building shelters and churches was religious persecution of Native Americans. How hypocritical is that? ("Just keep moving west until your feathers float!")

Answer 5

There were several visitors to the Americas before the voyages of Columbus, but it's hard to shake the myth once the wheels are in motion.
Massacres have happened throughout history; the one started by Columbus's zeal (greed?) was certainly a terrible one.

Answer 6

because the majority of the population of america is made up of immigrants and descendants of immigrants that came here because columbus discovered america. america is actually an extension of the european civilization and the european civilization came with and after columbus.

had the native americans absorbed the europeans and kept their civilization, columbus would have been just another tourist.

Answer 7

Yes you're right!
They teach us in NZ that Abel Tasman discovered the country.
They should say he was the first tourist or first invader. It's just an example of cultural or ethnic elitism. I laugh too about the way they always say they brought civilisation to these places where only savagery was before.

Answer 8

Its all about tradition and communities. It is like telling children to believe in Santa Claus. Children at a young age are not going to grasp the concept of genocide, but they will remember Columbus and Santa Claus because it is easier to teach and the story is usually told in a fun and rememberable way. Plus it is tradition and so it is continued to be told to future generations. Telling a child about Columbus is like putting a place holder in there mind about history, and as they get older they learn more about history and about fables and legends. Give the kids a break..lets not bombard them with facts..let them play and be imaginative..its stimulating for the mind.

Answer 9

If the spanish hadn't sold out to the American government at that time and maybe the indians dodged bullets better than they did, we would be reading a different history with different Heroes...

Answer 10

because it seems to me that most of Americans (including me) are descended from somewhere in Europe, and so therefore, columbus discovered America, from our standpoint.

In other words, we know that Native Americans were here long before Columbus was, but Columbus notified everyone of the existence of North America, so he, in a sense, discovered it.