Date of Award
Spring 2023
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Historical & Political Studies; College of Arts & Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Riggan
Abstract
Christopher Columbus’ landfall in 1492 was a pivotal historical event which set in motion several political, economic and social processes. Despite the horrors and atrocities instigated by his actions, Columbus continues to be celebrated across the world, particularly in the United States. Although there has been a recent rise in critical scholarship on Columbus, his legacy remains an intrinsic part of the construction of American nationalism. I argue that American national identity and the representations of Christopher Columbus are intertwined, as they have sustained each other across time and collectively reinforce colonial tools.
Recommended Citation
da Silva, Júlia, "Understanding American Nationalism and White Supremacy through the Legacy of Christopher Columbus" (2023). Capstone Showcase. 1.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2023/history/1
Included in
Cultural History Commons, Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons, United States History Commons
Understanding American Nationalism and White Supremacy through the Legacy of Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus’ landfall in 1492 was a pivotal historical event which set in motion several political, economic and social processes. Despite the horrors and atrocities instigated by his actions, Columbus continues to be celebrated across the world, particularly in the United States. Although there has been a recent rise in critical scholarship on Columbus, his legacy remains an intrinsic part of the construction of American nationalism. I argue that American national identity and the representations of Christopher Columbus are intertwined, as they have sustained each other across time and collectively reinforce colonial tools.