Although the vast majority of students learn about Columbus's great achievements and celebrate him as a hero, very few know the horrific atrocities he caused when he first landed in America. Although considered a hero by most in the United States, Zinn argues that people should think twice about Columbus' actions and question 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 is first referring to the author Morrison and how he addresses who Columbus really was. Instead of “[lying] outright about the past” or “[omitting] facts, which could lead to unacceptable conclusions,” Morrison tells the truth about the Columbus killings, and even calls it genocide. According to Zinn, Morrison “does something else. Quickly mention the truth and move on to other things that are more important to him.” Zinn believes that Morrison's choice to do this meant that he was telling his readers: “yes, mass murder occurred, but it's not that important – it should weigh very little in our final judgments; it should have very little influence on what we do in the world.” Zinn is right. Too many history books fail to mention or gloss over Columbus' actions and simply lead readers to believe he was a hero who found America. Even in his diary 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 says, “They should be good and intelligent servants.” “With 50 men everyone could be held in submission and could be forced to do whatever they wanted.” He brought back some Indians as slaves, and was brutal when he went to war with the... middle of paper......lumbu 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 his great accomplishments. Zinn sheds light on who Columbus really was and what his primary goals were in the New World. Although Columbus is a hero and the United States would not exist without his contributions to history, he was responsible for thousands of deaths and this should 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, Popular History of the United States, 17.