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Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress

Chapter 1 of Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, titled "Columbus, the Indians, and Human Progress", describes Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas and his initial interactions with the Arawak Indians. It lays the foundation for a critical reexamination of this historical moment:

• The Arawaks' Hospitality:
  The chapter recounts the Arawaks' welcoming nature, their lack of weapons, and their willingness to trade with Columbus and his men. Columbus, however, immediately took some natives by force to gain information, particularly about the location of gold.

• European Ambitions vs. Native Values:
  Zinn emphasizes that the European context of the time, marked by the religion of popes, the rule of kings, and a frenzy for money, contrasted sharply with the Arawaks' hospitality and belief in sharing. Spain, a newly unified nation-state seeking gold for wealth, financed Columbus’s expedition with promises of profits, governorship, and fame.

• Devastation of Colonization:
  The text highlights the devastating consequences of Columbus’s arrival and subsequent Spanish colonization. Bartolomé de Las Casas’s account details the brutal treatment of native populations, including forced labor in mines, which led to widespread death. Wives were forced to work the soil, families were separated, and the native population drastically declined due to war, slavery, and disease. Las Casas expresses shock at these inhumane acts and the depopulation of the land.

• Challenging the Heroic Narrative:
  Zinn contrasts this historical reality with the traditional portrayal of Columbus as a heroic figure in US history books, which often omit the bloodshed and present Columbus Day as a celebration. Even distinguished historians like Samuel Eliot Morison, while acknowledging the "complete genocide" resulting from Columbus’s policies, still frame his story as a "grand romance" and conclude with a positive view of Columbus.

• A New Historical Lens:
  The chapter introduces Zinn’s central argument for a different approach to history, one that rejects the "memory of states" as the sole narrative. He argues that nations are not unified communities and that history is marked by conflicts between conquerors and conquered, masters and slaves, and similar dynamics.

• Perspective of the Marginalized:
  Zinn explicitly states his viewpoint: to tell the story of the discovery of America from the perspective of the Arawaks, focusing on the victims rather than the executioners. However, he clarifies that his aim is not merely to grieve for the victims but to understand the past in a way that informs the present.

• Foundation for a People’s History:
  The chapter sets the stage for a "people’s history" by prioritizing the experiences of the marginalized and challenging dominant narratives that celebrate conquest and progress without acknowledging the human cost. Student critiques of mainstream history textbooks further illustrate the sanitized and biased portrayal of events like Columbus’s arrival.

This chapter establishes the framework for Zinn’s broader narrative, urging readers to reconsider history through the eyes of those who suffered its consequences.