Columbus: Rise and Fall of an American Myth

This video covers the portrayal of Columbus through the centuries and how he was “mythified” to create an American hero that predates the Revolution and the Founding Fathers. The Columbus Myth has changed dramatically through the ages: from nearly disappearing after his death, to being glorified by the United States, to being torn down by modern scholars and popular culture, he has perhaps been polarized more than any other character in the history of the Americas. Please enjoy!

Special thanks to my wife, Ani, who worked late with me to edit and finalize this video.

Bibliography:

Sale, Kirkpatrick. Christopher Columbus and the Conquest of Paradise. London: Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2006.

Stavans, Ilan. Imagining Columbus: the Literary Voyage. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1993.

Summerhill, Stephen J. Sinking Columbus: Contested History, Cultural Politics, and Mythmaking During the Quincentenary. Florida: University Press of Florida, 2000.

Audio:

[Leon-cdfg]

STRAIGHT UP THE ANIMATION GIVES ME CHILLS 😱 this is so well animated omfg yooo WELL DONE❤

[shortstackJMD]

I forgot I was subscribed to this channel.

[cristianluna]

I do believe that Columbus holds great historical significance. Just like everybody else who traveled to the Americas during that time period. However, I think it's important to distinguish the actual history behind Colombus, and the myth and legends surrounding him. While at the same time, being fair and neutral to all points of view. People seem to think that history tends to be misconstrued to fit a certain, "pro-western" worldview. When in actuality history is a lot more complicated than it actually is. Sure one could look at the past and see how Christopher Columbus was overly glorified. And now Christopher Columbus is seen as an inept sailor and navigator, who just got lucky and decided to enslave a whole group of people for his own gain. But in my opinion, history is not seen through a microscope. One needs to take into consideration the people, culture, and economic times of each time period. And how that specifically leads to controversial historical events. But that is just my two cents on the matter. If anything I appreciate your videos because I believe your content is truly nonpartisan. Which is honestly a breath of fresh hair compared to most other history channels on youtube. Also, I am by no means trying to start controversy what I just wrote is simply my own opinion. Anybody is free to disagree with it.

[HistoryofAztlan]

This was a surprise to see! It’s interesting that the Founding Fathers held him in high regards and how society today has shifted to a more indigenous perspective on the conquest of the Americas.
Can’t wait to see your future projects!

[pinchevulpes]

I applaud this channel in helping bring awareness to the actual history between colonists and indigenous people on this continent. No bias, just unabated facts, and the facts are damning for the colonials. which is why this history is not taught in public schools, thanks again for another fantastic entry!
*Try not to make us wait another 6 months to a year, but I’m really enjoying the style of animation.

[jamestown]

This is a good video, and refreshingly nuanced. You did a good job looking at how the man is remembered in popular history, as well as the motivations behind those views.

[andreiserban]

Thank God you came back I missed you so much, great job as always !

[ryvn_ryvn_]

your storytelling ability is phenomenal

[dronite]

This channel definitely deserves more views

[mrcocoloco]

Dude nice animation! Is been a long time that I also forgot what video did I saw first from your channel? Still the memories are coming back but it's very blur for now.

[beckiejani]

It's a three day weekend.... On the other hand, when I was in grade school (early 60s) I wondered how do you discover a place that already has millions of people living there?

[Jaydoggy]

It's fascinating to read about him by other contemporary authors, including those involved in his expeditions. There is a very consistent theme of admiration for his knowledge of sea travel but complete contempt for him otherwise as man for being an ass of a leader, routinely screwing colleagues out of pay or withdrawing from personnel fights, taking credit for others' work etc - and that's not to mention (or belittle) the horrific acts against humanity in the west.

[jeffreygao]

0:40 About that...his BOSSES were monarchs!

[TheOnlyPhanes]

*Columbus was a monster*
It wasn't just conquest. First-hand accounts reveal his proclivity for sadism. The same hands that extended out friendship to the newly-arrived "gods" on horseback were cut off and, for pure amusement, intentionally left hanging from the forearm by a thread of flesh. Again, dude was a straight-up monster.

[jarcher]

I am very glad that Europe colonized the Americas. An amazing conquest on par with Genghis Khan or the Roman Empire. Except through the conquest of the Americas and cooperation with Europe and Asia humanity has reached technological and societal advancement never before seen. Columbus was the first step for the world we live in now.

[noobikus]

Columbus was a good Nevigator and sailor but very bad colonial Administrator

[rampantmutt]

“'The Indian family in general was always under the impression that the foreigners were usurpers [and] destroyers of their race and Country; that is this land belonged to them exclusively […]"
- James Settee, Swampy Cree, 1871 "The fact that so many Indigenous people continue to be under the impression that the land belongs to them and always will is a nearly insurmountable problem for the settler state. But settlers are nothing if not persistent." - M. Gouldhawke

[Xplor]

This creator needs to keep creating ! This is good stuff!

[cyrup]

Hey thank you so much this was such high quality and well spoken. Can we expect more videos soon, if so when??

[leopardknowledge.]

Will this channel ever have a discord server?