Columbus: Hero or Villian

In my opinion, Columbus was more a hero than a villian, but not a full-fledged hero either. He was credited with discovering the new world, hence the holiday that we have named after him. He was not believed, however to be the original and sole discoverer of America. There are disputes but there are the Vikings and the Chinese, along with many others, who lay claim to discovering America. He was the most commonly known one, therefore he is commonly given the title of discovering America. These traits lead him to be a hero around the world, but there are things that he did that connotate villiany. While he was in the New World, his soldiers killed innocent Indians, raped there women; all in the lust for gold. Unknowingly, he also introduced major diseases to the New World and the Indians, such as smallpox. 

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was an Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, hoping to find a route to India (in order to trade for spices). He made a total of four trips to the Caribbean and South America during the years 1492-1504

Timeline

1451  Columbus was born in Genoa

1476 Survives a shipwreck and swims to shore

1485 Moves to Spain

1492  After many tries convinces Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to pay for his explorations.

1492 Departs from Spain in search of a new route to the Indies with three ships; Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta.

Oct. 12, 1492--New World sited (most likely the Bahamas)

Oct. 29, 1492 --Columbus arrives in Cuba

Dec. 5, 1492---Columbus arrives in Hispaniola

Dec. 25, 1492--Santa Maria Sinks

1493  Returns to Lisbon, Portugal

1493 September--Begins Second Voyage

1496 Returns to Portugal

1498  Begins third voyage

1504 Columbus returns to Spain

May 20, 1506 --Death of Columbus