M Blitz. (2015, January 26). The Truth About Christopher Columbus. Retrieved from: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/01/real-christopher-columbus/

The article challenges the myth about Columbus being a hero. Blitz shares stories about what Columbus and his crew did wrong specifically immoral and harsh things he has done. Blitz mentions that Columbus never found America and did not prove the world was not flat. He further argues that many parts of Columbus story are false and some parts were adjusted. What is also brought up in this blog entry is that the majority of what happened during Columbus’s journey was enslaving the natives when initially his main goal was to gain wealth. Women and children particularly were treated worse. For instance, a passage from one of his crew members is quoted, and he shares his story on swaying a woman and Columbus allowing to rape them. Columbus also had sold women into prostitution. One of the things I’m researching for in this project is women involved in Columbus journey. The fact that women (and children) were treated unjust is important to know about Columbus story. Especially that in the Columbus’ journal, it seemed one-sided and biased, it is good to hear a different side to the story, especially one that contradicts to belief of Columbus being a hero.

Rapid City Journal. Top 5 Atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus. Retrieved from: http://rapidcityjournal.com/photos/top-atrocities-committed-by-christopher-columbus/collection_76ebb2b8-f63d-11e3-a137-001a4bcf887a.html#5

Almost like the article referenced above, they talk about how Christopher Columbus was not a hero and has done very harsh and cruel acts to the natives. Columbus’s mission was to find gold and slaves to bring back to Spain. Columbus and his crew ordered their slaves to find gold. He even threatened the slaves that if they did not find gold, the slaves’ hands would be chopped off. The article quotes a passage by Bartolome de la Casas, a young priest who wrote what the Natives had experienced when the Spanish had colonized them. Casas claims that the Spanish were cruel by killing many natives. The Arawaks attempted to get revenge and fight back to the Spaniards. This however did not workout and led them to commit suicide because they thought it was the only way to protect themselves from the Spaniards. What makes this article useful for my project is that we hear another side of the story, specifically negative acts that happened during Columbus journey, which is not much stated in Columbus journal.  As said earlier, Columbus’ journal seemed very biased. What is great about this article too is that it includes pictures which can be used for the video.