Columbus came to the Americas in 1492, with aid from Spain's fine crewmen and three sturdy ships (The Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria). In elementary schools, kids are taught songs about Columbus, and how he discovered America (as well as great his discovery was). But, these teachers failed to teach his whole story. Columbus, in searching for a new trade route to Asia, only stumbled upon the Americas and its inhabitants. He mistreated these natives, conquering their land and taking advantage of them, as well as spreading diseases among these peoples, that had developed in Europe but not in the Americas (so the Natives didn't have immunity against them). Columbus also enslaved many natives, using them to his advantage, and not caring for their general needs and/or well-beings. Because of this, Columbus can be seen as a villain.
CBS provides an excellent article on this very topic:
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-5377741.html
AND
History Today provides an article as well:
http://www.historytoday.com/felipe-armesto/columbus-hero-or-villain
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