Was Christopher Columbus really a genocidal colonizer? Or have we lost the ability to understand historical figures in their full human complexity?
In this first of three lessons of a series for the US HISTORY & CATHOLICISM course, we explore the strongest, most charitable version of the anti-Columbus argument—not from radical leftist ideologues, but from thoughtful Catholic voices who challenge the traditional narrative with evidence, nuance, and personal struggle. We walk through an entire piece by Andrew Ganner, a writer whose sincere effort to question his own bias toward a respected elder shows us what it really means to think historically and wrestle morally.
This lesson does not argue for or against Columbus.
It argues for the integrity of historical thinking, and the importance of not allowing ourselves to become slaves to a voice, not even mine.
Whether you’re a defender of Catholic tradition, a student of American history, or just someone looking to understand how to juggle controversial figures in a world of propaganda and outrage, this lesson gives you the intellectual and spiritual tools to go deeper.
00:00 Introduction & Request That the Viewer Let the Coming 3-Part Miniseries Play Out–Despite Today’s Seeming Deviation from the Course Focus
02:27 Introduction of Andrew Ganner, Online Citizen Historian
04:34 Ganner’s First Article: “Back to the Beginning: A Catholic View of Columbus”
06:06 Commentary
06:41 Ganner Pulls from Dr Warren H Carroll, Catholic Historian
09:43 Commentary
10:00 End of Ganner’s First Article
12:18 Commentary (Metacognition)
14:57 Ganner’s Second Article with My Commentary Sprinkled In
32:56 Final Questions and Remarks
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LINK to Ganner’s Articles: https://medium.com/@andrewganner
LINK to US HIST & CATH Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoOI9ewFzqkJH25paIWaVvkedSnQmo_rn
LINK to Most Recent Academy Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMhGgIzQHg0&t=595s
LINK to Course Textbook: https://ckbooks.org/wordpress/