Does Columbus Day celebrate a villain, who tortured his slaves and starved settlers?

Question

With an estimated death toll of 50,000,000 native Americans after Columbus' so-called discovery of the Americas (native Americans already knew they were here), how can this day be celebrated by anyone? By the way, I'm not a native American.

http://www.unknowncountry.com/news/?id=5668

Answer 1

Yes, that's true. His own country didn't want a raping murdering theif in Spain anymore so they sent him overseas. I think its horrible that its a holiday.

Answer 2

Although it's popular at the moment to do revisionist and apologetic history, that doesn't really do justice to either side of the arguement. Columbus did not actually discover America, that is true- he did however prove a point, that the world was indeed round. He did discover a land that had either been forgotten or never known in the old world. He also provided knowledge of another world's existence to the local natives- who did not know the old world existed either.
There is nothing to suggest that Columbus was any different towards his slaves or seamen than any of his contemporaries. The natives were not exactly peace-loving tree huggers in tune with the environment either. They went to war with one another fairly frequently, practiced slavery, and were known to be equally cruel to one another. Although they were not uncivilized savages, they were not naive innocents either.
The diseases which followed in the footsteps of the explorers did have devastating consequences on the locals- that is true. But it is equally true that it was not intentional on the part of the Europeans. They didn't want to devastate the population, as they needed the labor and wanted them as subjects of their various kings. The explorers had no way of knowing the local natives had no resistance, as they had no knowledge of how the diseases spread- little alone how to prevent or treat them. The natives themselves did not hold the Europeans responsible, even when they noted the Europeans did not seem as susceptible. The outlook then on both sides was that disease and death were the will of God or the gods- depending on which side we are discussing.
While one can debate the benefits and effects of Columbus' trips to the New World, I see no reason why we can't recognize the achievement. Whether you agree on the methods or the outcomes, it was still a navigational feat . I bet when you consider an ocean voyage, you will expect your ship to be considerably larger, equiped with full amenities, and not dependant on the whims of the weather. I also bet you'll want the captain to have GPS locater capability along with his maps, a radio, telegraph, satellite telephone, and all the other modern navigational equipment. None of which, by the way, Columbus had when he made his crossing. So celebrate or mourn, whichever you prefer, but at least recognize the achievement.

Answer 3

May I ask you your source that states 50,000,000 Native American's
{Indigenous North American Population} deaths can be directly or even indirectly to linked to Columbus's discovery of "The New World" ?

Answer 4

Yes. Columbus Day is a very very weird holiday. I have no idea why we celebrate a butcher. He didn't discover America either. It's a dumb day to celebrate.

Answer 5

Tell you what. Give everything you own to the native americans and leave.

Answer 6

I don't feel you can blame Columbus for what Cortez did

Answer 7

well i am and i think its bs. and yes, it does celebrate a villain, who tortured his slaves and starved settlers. tell me thats not a slap in the face

Answer 8

I like it not because of what youre talking about, but because we have no school

Answer 9

VERY simple.Columbus was a "product" of his time