GRADES: 8+
GOAL: To have the students realize how many lies are being perpetrated against Christopher Columbus and to uncover the truth behind these falsehoods.
ESSAY: Have the students select one of the many anti-Columbus lies being repeated today and write a 500 word essay proving it wrong using the resources from the Columbus Education Project or any other reputable source. This assignment can also be done for extra credit. At least 2 sources should be quoted and noted in their bibliography.
Here are some common myths that can be proven false:
Columbus thought little of the natives and abused them.
Columbus committed genocide.
Columbus started the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Columbus' goals were gold and slavery.
Columbus cut off the hands of natives who did not provide their share of gold.
Columbus was happy and willing to institute the practice of encomiendas.
Columbus engaged in sex trafficking.
Columbus raped native women and/or allowed native women to be raped by his men.
Columbus was short-tempered, heartless, narcissistic, ruthless and vindictive.
Columbus was a racist.
Columbus didn't discover anything.
Columbus was sent back to Spain in chains for abusing the Indians.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If students want to dispel a different lie not mentioned above, that's fine. Ask them what it is and you can approve/deny it.
It can be fine if the same topic is assigned to 2+ different students depending on the size of the class.
Feel free to customize as you see fit.
Great idea! I can offer this as extra credit for my students! Thank you!