Why is are parts of Christopher Columbus's experiences OMITTED?

Question

Christopher Columbus was a murderer and make indians slaves.

Why don't textbooks teach this?

Why do you think this part about Columbus enslaving and killing native americans are always ommitted from history?

Answer 1

Columbus was a sailor and explorer.  If he had killed or enslaved anyone he would have no reason to hide the fact.  Romans had been doing that in his own homeland l,500 years earlier, and indian tribes had continued to do that to each other up and beyond the time of Columbus' arrival.  If you are looking to hand out hair shirts, your best bet would be to bring up the Conquistadors - Cortés and Pissaro.

Answer 2

the same reason America has...

humans can be nasty creatures and sometimes dont want to admit it

Answer 3

Because it is not what he is famous for.  History is not intended to be a complete biography of all the participants, but a snapshot of the more notable aspects of different periods and personages.

If you think that is bad, what about the time when the Son of God came to earth for 3 1/2 years!  Or the time when the entire world was inundated by a huge flood, killing almost everyone and everything on the planet.  You can find these in your Bible, but not in your history book!  Far more serious oversights, I would suggest!

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

You have to place yourself in that time period.  Blood and wars were the norm, Columbus wasn't perceived as evil.

Columbus did far more good than bad, history books don't need to mention EVERYTHING, only the more notable moments.  

Lets say you made history.  Would you want everyone digging into your secrets?

Answer 5

Why is are?   Ommitted?  Columbus couldn't kill Native Americans.  America wasn't formed yet.   More like indigenous people.

Answer 6

Well, the fact is that when Chris started his journey, he didn't actually know where he was going.

When he got there, he didn't know where he was.

When he got back, he didn't know where he'd been.

Also, he did it all on borrowed money.  

He basically invented "Spring Break", but doesn't get credit because he didn't realize it.