APUSH
The Columbus Debate
Name:
Block:
Date:
Background:
The debate over Columbus' status in history continues. Those who consider him to be a villain would support
the organizers of the movement to abolish Columbus Day as a national holiday. His supporters would argue
that Columbus deserves his hero status.
Eric Kasum: Columbus Day? True Legacy: Cruelty and Slavery
1. What does the title of the article tell you about what Eric Kasum thinks of Columbus Day?
2. What are the two reasons Kasum gives against this federal law invented in 1934 to celebrate this
courageous explorer?
3. Please give 5 examples as to why Kasum would mark Columbus Day as a black day on his calendar if he was
a Native American?
4. What is the real question about Columbus Day according to Kasum?
5. What does Kasum propose we do with Columbus and how he is taught?
Michael S. Berliner: On Columbus Day, Celebrate Western Civilization, And Not the Cruel Hoax of
Multiculturalism
6. What does Berliner thinks is being celebrated by celebrating Columbus Day? (Hint: Look at the Title of the
Article)
7. According to Berliner, What does the” politically correct” view of Christopher Columbus say?
8. Does Berliner think Christopher Columbus discovered America, and why does he think this?
9. According to Berliner, what was North America like before 1492?
10. Berliner says Christopher Columbus should be honored as a way to honor Western Civilization. What does
Berliner think Western Civilization stands for?
Medieval Sourcebook: Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal
What are the three most powerful details you would use to support your position?
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What Do You Think?
Should there be holiday honoring Columbus?
Write a three part thesis statement that would describe your position on Columbus’s appropriate status in
history.