Did Christopher Columbus's' efforts to gain power and wealth compromise his morals?

What morals did he start with?

my teacher said any morals a person would have

Many of Columbus's actions were immoral and unethical. He treated the native Americans abominably. However, I believe this behavior was considered moral by most other conquerors.

To answer the question of whether Christopher Columbus's efforts to gain power and wealth compromised his morals, we need to assess his actions and the historical context. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who sought financial support from European monarchs to fund his voyages. While he is often credited with "discovering" the Americas, his actions and their implications are subject to varying interpretations.

1. Exploring the motivations: Columbus's primary motivation was to find a new trade route to Asia. In his efforts to secure support, he presented his expeditions as an opportunity for wealth and power, promising to bring back valuable resources like gold, spices, and slaves.

2. Treatment of indigenous populations: Columbus's encounters with indigenous populations in the Caribbean were marked by exploitation, violence, and enslavement. While it is important to consider that his actions were influenced by the prevailing attitudes of the time, it is evident that his pursuit of wealth and power caused great harm to the native peoples he encountered.

3. Impact on morality: Columbus's actions can be seen as compromising his moral integrity. The mistreatment, enslavement, and forced labor inflicted upon indigenous populations contradict ethical standards of respect for human rights and dignity.

4. Historical context: It is crucial to consider the historical context in which Columbus operated. The 15th century was characterized by colonial expansion and the pursuit of economic wealth. Morality and human rights were often secondary concerns in the quest for power and resources.

In conclusion, Christopher Columbus's efforts to gain power and wealth through exploration had significant moral compromises. The exploitation and mistreatment of indigenous populations make it difficult to argue that his actions were consistent with moral principles. It is essential to critically evaluate historical figures, recognizing their flaws and the impacts of their actions on different communities.

Ms. Sue is right in asking what morals he started with. What did he believe was right or wrong? You can't really answer this question well unless you know those things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus#Early_life
Read this section carefully to get a glimpse into his early life and a bit on what he believed.

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1382-motives-for-exploration
Columbus made his journeys for one primary reason: an easier way to gain wealth. Other reasons came later. How did these motives line up with what he believed was right and wrong?