Although a large majority of students learn about Columbus's great conquests and celebrate him as a hero, very few know about the horrific atrocities he committed during his first landing in America. Although considered a hero by most Americans, Zinn argues that people should think twice about Columbus' actions and ask themselves whether his behavior toward the Indians was necessary. In quotes one and five, Zinn clearly describes his thoughts on the atrocities committed by Columbus and other colonists against the natives living in America. Zinn first references the author Morrison and his treatment of who Columbus really was. Instead of “outright lying about the past” or “omitting facts that might lead to unacceptable conclusions,” Morrison tells the truth about the Columbus killings, and even calls it genocide. According to Zinn, Morrison “does something else. He quickly mentions the truth and moves on to other things more important to him. Zinn thinks Morrison's choice meant he was telling his readers: “yes, mass murders have happened, but it's not that important – it should weigh very little in our final judgments; it should have very little effect on what we do in the world. Zinn is right. Too many history books fail to mention or overlook Columbus' actions and simply trick readers into believing that he was a hero who founded America. Even in his own journal entries, it is clear that Columbus wanted to exploit the natives for his own benefit and never wanted to try to work with them. He said: “They should be good and intelligent servants. » "With 50 men, everyone could be subjugated and forced to do what we want." He brought back some Indians as slaves and was brutal when he went to war with middle of paper...... Lumbus's treatment of the people he found when he finally landed on the Niña , the Pinta. , and the Santa Maria was atrocious and should not be ignored when talking about its great achievements. Zinn clearly sheds light on who Columbus really was and what his main objectives were in the New World. Although Columbus is a hero and the United States would not exist without his contribution to history, he is responsible for thousands of deaths, and this must not be forgotten. Works Cited Howard Zinn, A People's History of the United States (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2005), 8.Ibid., 8.Ibid., 8.Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove, Voices of a People's History of the United States( New York: Seven Stories Press, 2009), 32Ibid., 34.Ibid. , 38.Ibid., 39.Ibid., 39.Ibid., 41.Zinn, A People's History of the United States, 17.