Christopher-columbus

 

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, A MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS

Christopher Columbus was a man of contradictions who ascended to legendary proportion.  He rose from commoner to nobleman.  His strong spiritual side often struggled with his ambitious side for worldly goods.  Even though he loathed the power welded by the ruling-class, he eagerly sought their privileges.  A legacy of destruction, cruelty and inhumanity followed him back to Spain.  The once celebrated explorer was stripped of his title, but history continued to exemplify him as a fearless explorer and great navigator of the world.   In recent years Christopher Columbus is more a mystery than ever.  Who was he . . . what was his real name . . . where did he come from . . . did he discover America . . . why all the secrecy . . . was he a spy . . . was there a conspiracy theory?  

 

I hope this site will answer some of these questions, and perhaps give us a better understanding of the man, Christopher Columbus.   

 

Da Vinci and Columbus: One of history's great deceptions?

In this video, www.WatchMojo.com learns about a theory linking two important historical figures - Christopher Columbus and Leonardo Da Vinci.

No

by Jan Fulton

No, the US should no longer observe Christopher Columbus Day, because he wasn't responsible for the ...More>
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Yes

by Jesse Lyman

It has been said that the Vikings were the first Europeans to “discover” America and the...More>
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IN 1492 HE SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE . . . old poem from school-days

IN 1492

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.

He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.

A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.

Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.

Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.

Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.

October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!

"Indians!  Indians!"  Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.

But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.

The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.

Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.

He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.

The first American?  No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.

by Petra Newman

"We arouse and arrange our memories to suit our psychic needs." (Michael Kammen, professor of American History and Culture at Cornell University)When our forefathers left England, they also left behin...More>
3 articles  Write NowWrite

by Padre Art

In the year 1405 AD, Chinese emperor Zhu Di ordered a fleet of 100 ships to sail to the ends of the earth in what was the first effort at globalization. There is evidence that the Chinese oceanic voy...More>
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Zheng He

There's speculation the Chinese reached the America's before Columbus. During the Ming Dynasty it's believed the Chinese ruled the seas. Admiral Zheng He had the largest, most advanced fleet in the world at that time (fifteenth century). He kept a logbook detailing each of his eight voyages with nautical charts. At the time the charts were the first of its kind in the world. These charts verify that China was possibly the most advanced in the technology of ship-building and science navigation.

 

History of the Holidays: Columbus Day

— How Columbus Day came to be celebrated.

History of the Holidays: Columbus Day: Business Man

— Christopher Columbus is known as many things, but he was also a master businessman.

COLUMBUS DAY - CLIP FROM THE CANARY EFFECT

Learn the truth about who Columbus really was and how he raped and killed millions of Native Americans. From the Documentary "The Canary Effect" directed by Robin Davey and Yellow Thunder Woman

by Beth Ramsay

Before 1663 New France was a mess with few settlers and a dying fur trade. (ILC 2008, p. 2) The new King: Louis XIV changed this by instituting Royal Government in 1663. (ILC 2008, p. 2) He did this s...More>
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1492 THE CONQUEST OF PARADISE . . . CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

Was CC Portuguese?

WAS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS REALLY PORTUGUESE ?

by Petra Newman

A shroud of mystery and controversy continue to swirl around Christopher Columbus. Why all the secrecy, who was Christopher Columbus? Like any good mystery it intrigues and begs to be uncovered. Five ...More>
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Evidence that Welsh Prince Madoc visited North America in 1170.

All About Christopher Columbus

Everything you ever wanted to know about Christopher Columbus and his explorations in the New World.

Was Christopher Columbus Greek?

a video made with cooperation with djthanasis. As for the sign in the Christopher's Columbus family house (which is exactly outside the door, i ve been there personally) says the following: " The restoration of the residence of the Columbus family,achieved with the financing of the European Union and the Greek Ministry of the Aegean islands" Music by the great Greek Composer, Vangelis Papathanasiou - Movement one from Mythodea

by Joyce Wheeler

This is a great topic for a unit study for a variety of ages. Many Homeschool families contain multiple children at different learning levels. Having a unit study geared towards all levels helps to ma...More>
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Comments (1 to 10 of 19)

Olivia Bredbenner
Sep 25, 10 at 02:52 PM
Petra,
What a beautiful and interesting zone. I am sure I will be back again..your content is absolutely amazing :)

Olivia

zteve t evans
Nov 25, 09 at 08:32 PM
Petra, This is interesting and informative. Very impressive work!
Petra Newman
Sep 03, 09 at 04:52 AM
Thanks shaheen; I always look forward to your comments. I enjoyed making this zone and am trying to find some new, interesting facts about Columbus. It's great hearing from you again.
Shaheen Darr
Aug 26, 09 at 06:45 AM
Came back for another look Petra, very well researched, love the old school poem...that must bring lots of memories :)
Petra Newman
Jun 08, 09 at 12:26 AM
Thank you, E. Moore and olivia for your comments. They are greatly appreciated. At first I didn't know how this subject would fly, but I'm glad there are other history buffs out there:) The welcome mat is always here:)
Olivia Bredbenner
Jun 05, 09 at 02:42 PM
Petra, Great site, lots to show your insight and creativity along with an interesting history lesson...I'll be back :) Olivia
Effie Moore Salem
May 29, 09 at 07:34 PM
I am impressed. You have a great zone. It is packed with Columbus lore. Well thought out.
Petra Newman
May 11, 09 at 03:16 AM
Thanks for your comments Mona and Sharon. I love history and Christopher Columbus wasn't who I thought he was. It makes me wonder about other historical figures.
Sharon Mazaka
May 11, 09 at 02:40 AM
This is a very nice zone. It has a lot of good information.
Mona Gallagher
May 09, 09 at 04:43 PM
Very nice page.

Zone Manager

Helium member since Jun 21, 07
Number of Zones: 4

Columbus was the son of Varna?

Christopher Columbus was the son of the Polish King Ladislaus of Varna - writes a Portuguese historian Manuel Rosa. He presents his theory in a sensational book, which was published in Spain last month.

According to the Portuguese scholar the King Ladislaus survived the Battle of Varna and fled to Madeira. There he lived in hiding and married a gentlewoman who gave birth to their son - the discoverer of America.

http://www.poland.pl/news/article,Columbus_was_the_Son_of_Varna,id,449858.htm

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    COLUMBUS DAY


    photo by Jef Nickerson
    SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE COLUMBUS DAY?
    No . . . because he wasn't the first to discover North America.
    Yes . . . because he was a great explorer.
    Definitely not . . . he should be condemned for his atrocities, not celebrated.
    Yes . . . eventhough all his shortcommings, he was a man of the times, a time before humanity was discovered.

    Medieval Sourcebook: Extracts from Christopher Columbus Journal.

     

    This document is the from the journal of Columbus in his voyage of 1492. The meaning of this voyage is highly contested. On the one hand, it is witness to the tremendous vitality and verve of late medieval and early modern Europe - which was on the verge of acquiring a world hegemony. On the other hand, the direct result of this and later voyages was the virtual extermination, by ill-treatment and disease, of the vast majority of the Native inhabitants, and the enormous growth of the transatlantic slave trade. It might not be fair to lay the blame at Columbus' feet, but since all sides treat him as a symbol, such questions cannot be avoided.

    http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html

     

    500 NATIONS - NATIVE AMERICANS - COLUMBUS ARRIVAL PART1

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    Columbus: Continuation of a Genocidal Legacy

    This video depicts the inhumane treatment given to the natives by Columbus.  The images and literature is violent and graphic and may offend some people.  Viewer discretion is advised.
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