Who Discovered America?
By: Katelyn Petersen
The Native Americans
I believe the Native Americans deserve the credit for discovering America. The Native Americans came to America from Asia between 10,000 - 50,000 years ago. This means that they were in America for at least 8,500 years before any of the other discovers claimed to have found America. There is also proof that the Native Americans came from China because scientists have compared blood types and earwax samples between today's Indians and today's Asians and the results match up.
Christopher Columbus
I do not believe Christopher Columbus was the first to discover America but I do believe that he was the first European to discover America. I do not believe Columbus was the first to discover America because we know that when Columbus landed he was met by the Tainos (an Indian tribe). Columbus wanted gold but the Tainos didn't have any to provide him. Columbus acted badly on this and killed or enslaved the entire colony. I believe Columbus was the first European to discover America because after his journey to America in 1492 there were many other explores that followed him and colonization began and never stopped.
Brendan the Bold
I do not believe Brendan the Bold should get credit for discovering America because there is no proof of his landing. Brendan claims to have taken two trips to America. He left Ireland to search for paradise and follow his religion. Considering Brendan claims to have made two trips to America and there is no proof such as artifacts to prove he was there I do not believe he discovered America.
Leif Ericsson
I do not believe Leif Ericsson should get credit for discovering America for a few reasons. First of all Leif bought Bjarni's boat and research so that he could go explore America. This means that Bjarni knew where America was but did not want to explore so he sold his information to Leif so that he could explore. I also do not think Leif Ericsson's story is true because there is no proof that a Norse colony existed in America when Columbus sailed.
Prince Madoc of Whales
I do not believe Prince Madoc of Whales should get credit for discovering America because he claims to have landed in Kentucky and built a colony. I don't believe this because Kentucky is not located on the coast so it is not possible to land in Kentucky. I don't believe Prince Madoc discovered America because there is no proof of the colony he claimed to have started.