Christopher Columbus: Hero or Villian?

Columbus was a hero and a villain. He is a hero because he found the Americas for the Old World (consisting of Africa, Europe, and Asia.) This discovery allowed for more trade between the two very different lands. On the other hand, he is a villain for treating the Natives ruthlessly, and for abusing them.
Columbus is a hero because he discovered the Americas for the Old World and allowed the two "worlds" to meet. Document A says that "...in a sense he made it all happen (referring to American History)..." Before Columbus, no one (except the un-talked about trip of the Vikings) had…