309. Columbus: Villain or Hero?

Christopher Columbus caused debate in his own time, and remains a controversial figure today: some argue he initiated both the Atlantic slave trade and the genocide of the Native Americans, others laud him as one of the great men of History. Join Tom and Dominic as they explore these issues, their roots, and the truth behind the man Columbus really was...
*The Rest Is History Live Tour April 2023*:Tom and Dominic are going on tour in April 2023 and performing in London, Edinburgh, and Salford! Buy your tickets here:robomagiclive.com/the-rest-is...
Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook

[@gosiachaaban2484]

My Mexican friend tells me that in her country Spanish colonisation is perceived much more positively than in Europe. Children are taught that Spanish saved them from the cruelty of Aztecs.

[@mexicola10]

You have to be joking 😂 I'm mexican, and that is so false

[@gosiachaaban2484]

@@mexicola10 this might have been the case for her and not for you, possibly depending on when you both went to school? I should have used the past tense: children used to be taught that. I'll never forget seeing an exhibition about Aztecs and looking at their images of gods, for example the one dressed in human skin, inside out, with bubbles of fat.....

[@ekesandras1481]

the difference to English colonies is obvious: most of Mexicans are of indigenous or mixted Mestizo origin and the pure white population is less than 5%.

[@zugabdu1]

This is wildly different from what I've heard from Mexicans.

[@gosiachaaban2484]

@@zugabdu1 my friend is in her fifties. Do you think there might have been a change in recently years? She went to school in the 80ties.

[@donnyball]

thank u

[@FlyJohnny100]

Viewing history with genuine curiosity and some grasp of complex human behavior is the start of understanding. To see the humour alongside the tragedy and triumph of the past is to recognize ourselves in the pages of history.

[@mmf356]

Look at Brazil and you have the answer to what Portugal would have done….

[@charliesinnott9840]

Bravo gentleman, listened to each episode 2 or 3 times. My vote is he is a hero.

[@ekesandras1481]

Genetics have proven that the population of the Dominican Republic has quite a significant proportion of Taino genes. You can also see that, since they look different from mulattos who have only African and European ancestry withouth the indigenous component. So the myth of complete genocide on Hispaniola cannot be true.

[@geekylove3603]

Ok. 90% genocide. Better? Jesus wept. I bet you make pains to say we cannot believe the amount of people have died in Gaza.

[@leehallam9365]

I think one can judge Columbus in two ways, in his achievements and his behaviour. He achieved a great deal albeit not what he hoped to achieve, he also was in many ways a bad leader and the stubbornness which meant he could keep going also prevented him understanding the reality around him. His behaviour once out at sea was atrocious, he was utterly ruthless, and the criticism at the time is a mark against giving him too much leeway. But blaming him for the unforseen consequences is rediculous. However badly he behaved, none of that compelled others to follow his example. He couldn't know about the impact of disease and he didn't come seeking conquest, the poor devil just wanted to get to China.

[@GUSCRAWF0RD]

29:53 people in Ohio like ??

[@AngryAndNegativeHistoryProject]

Interesting take on history. Your adjectives spell out your bias. Can you pick out my bias in my channel? Probably not, because I don't use adjectives like you do towards Columbus or the Indians.

[@theblackdust]

Bro what

[@robinmavrick]

​@Black Dust I believe it's authentic frontier gibberish

[@aristocraticrebel]

100% a hero. It takes a lot of balls to do what he did. A great man.

[@SirPotato_IV]

Are you American by chance?

[@AngryAndNegativeHistoryProject]

​@@SirPotato_IV how about a rationalist?

[@AngryAndNegativeHistoryProject]

​@@SirPotato_IV you will hate my videos.

[@aristocraticrebel]

@@SirPotato_IV No.

[@Terinije]

Villain

[@aristocraticrebel]

Maybe Europeans are the villains in history, but you know what, I'm okay with that. It's time for Europeans to embrace their imperial destiny. European Man should become who he is.

[@reashark3987]

@@aristocraticrebelok we found the facist. imperialism was abandoned for a reason

[@aristocraticrebel]

@@reashark3987 Yes, because of slave morality. Or leaders are too weak to be imperialistic.

[@reashark3987]

@@aristocraticrebel that doesnt mean they should be imperialistic 💀 thats like saying “you dont have the stomach for murder” because you want someone to murder for you