Kenneth Andrien presents three conflicting views of a well-known legacy in history, Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus is portrayed as the hero and as a poor leader leading a pattern of cruelty to the Native Americans. Finally, the negative outcomes of Columbus's voyages were clarified.
Samuel Morison's biography depicts Columbus as an explorer who should be honored for his heroic efforts in exploring America. He emphasizes how daring Columbus was to explore unknown territory, and how he had to possess great skill in order to make it home and back. .
Morison's states his great leadership in leading thousands of men into exploration.
In contrast, Carl Sauer illustrates Columbus as a poor leader and a ruthless administer who did not understand the significance of his discoveries. He stresses that the seven's years of Columbus exploration was unproductive. He made up riches that did not exist because he did not find gold. Sauer claims that Columbus was a romantic who lived in a world of wishful thinking. He argues that Columbus was a poor leader who lacked the ability to have men follow him, and the skill to handle changes. Many of his men were captured and suffered from hunger. .
Alfred Crosby adds to the negativity by stating that Columbus's voyages left us with an impoverished genetic pool. He points out long-range biological effects of the Columbian exchange. For example, the Columbian exchange had brought about the extinction of species of life forms. Also, men have reduced the flora and fauna by specialization. .
Finally, the last articles place emphasis on the global interdependence that have resulted from Columbus voyages. However, all the changes should not be solely attributed to him. It would have eventually happened with or without him, but it was better with him because he was best fit for the task at the time. .
