He was neither. He was just an ordinary person who got to do something extraordinary. But for the purpose of this assignment, I will humor you, Mr. DeCarlo.
Columbus was a hero because
- he was the first European to make contact with the New World.
- he opened trade between the Old and New Worlds. This resulted in the Columbian Exchange, the largest exchange of goods between two peoples ever.
- he introduced Christianity to the New World.
He was a villain because
- he killed an enormous amount of Native Americans, just short of genocide.
- he introduced smallpox and other diseases to the New World.
- he enslaved Native Americans, setting a dangerous precedent.
Each of the "hero" points can be twisted. He introduced Christianity, but he forced his religion on a people who had already developed their own culture and religion. Opening trade did have benefits for both sides, but a center piece of the Columbian Exchange was disease. He was the first European, but in the end, was the European contact beneficial for the Native Americans?
He was both a hero and a villain depending on what perspective you take, but the "hero" argument doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Columbus was a villain, but you can't really blame him for what he did. If it wasn't him it would have been someone else. He was just someone with an extraordinary opportunity who was just doing what he thought was best for himself and his country.
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