Christopher Columbus: Hero or Villain?

Christopher Columbus is a controversial figure in history, often debated as either a hero who discovered the New World or a villain responsible for the exploitation and suffering of indigenous peoples. In this assignment, you will explore both perspectives and develop your own argument based on evidence from the gallery walk documents.

Group 1

In this section, you will write a 5-paragraph essay discussing whether Christopher Columbus should be considered a hero or a villain. Use evidence from the documents provided during your gallery walk to support your argument. Your essay should include an introduction with a clear thesis statement, three body paragraphs that provide evidence and analysis, and a conclusion that summarizes your argument.

Question 1a

Essay

Write a 5-paragraph essay explaining and defending your view on whether Christopher Columbus was a hero or a villain. Your essay should include:

  1. An introduction with a thesis statement that clearly states your position.
  2. Three body paragraphs that provide evidence from the gallery walk documents to support your argument.
  3. A conclusion that summarizes your argument and restates your thesis.

Teach with AI superpowers

Why teachers love Class Companion

Import assignments to get started in no time.

Create your own rubric to customize the AI feedback to your liking.

Overrule the AI feedback if a student disputes.

Other Social Studies Assignments

2nd Quarterly Enduring Issues Essay 2nd Quarterly Enduring Issues Essay 3x Genre EduProtocol - Cat MemeAfrican American Freedom During ReconstructionAfrican Savanna Narrative RewriteAfrica Unit 1 Re-TestAnalyzing Historical Sources: The Black Death and TradeArgumentative Essay Introduction: Fall of RomeArgumentative Essay Introduction: Fall of Rome (modified copy)ASSESSMENT: CER Statement - What was the most significant impact of A.I.M.?ASSESSMENT: CER Statement - What was the most significant impact of A.I.M.?ASSESSMENT: CER Statement - What was the most significant impact of A.I.M.?Becoming Responsible and Informed Citizens in the Digital AgeBerlin: A Microcosm of the Cold WarBirmingham Children CrusadeCanada's Economy and Trade: A Writing AssignmentCauses of the American RevolutionCentral American Migrants and 'La Bestia' Comprehension Questions (copy)CER - Federalism, Elections, and the Power to VoteCH. 3 TestChernobyl Nuclear Disaster: Causes and EffectsClaim Evidence Reasoning "Was the Reconstruction ERA a success or failure?"Cold War Influence on U.S. Domestic IssuesColonial Regions CharacteristicsComparing and Contrasting Australia and CanadaCurrent Events ParagraphDBQ : The Crusades as a Catalyst for Global ExchangeDeforestation of the AmazonDesigning Your Ideal DemocracyEnduring Issues Connections PracticeEnduring Issues Essay Practice Full EssayEnduring Issues Practice Classwork from 5-31Environmental SustainabilityEssay #1: Should students have the freedom to use their phones in school?European Exploration QuizExploring Ancient African KingdomsFab Five DocumentaryFactors Contributing to the Fall of the Roman EmpireFall of Rome DBQ: Body Paragraph # 1Fall of Rome DBQ: Body Paragraph # 1 (modified copy)Fall of Rome DBQ: Body Paragraph # 2Fall of Rome DBQ: Body Paragraph # 2 (modified copy)"Fall of Rome" DBQ Essay Fall of Rome DBQ: Final Body Paragraph (w/counterargument + rebuttal)FDR's Fireside Chat AnalysisFinal DBQ Essay: TheGreat Wall of China 3/21/25First Body Paragraph: Did the Benefits Outweigh the Costs?First Body Paragraph: How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson?Foundations & Legacy: Unit 2 AssessmentFrom small farming villages to Large city-states