Christopher Columbus is widely regarded as the person who “discovered the New World.” This was definitely the narrative that I was taught when going to primary school in Canada (there was even an animated series airing at the time which glorified Columbus as a sensitive, adventurous, benevolent explorer).
In this hypothetical, it is 2031 and most of Europe is bankrupt. However, a “Claim on Columbus” (whether it’s a net glory gain or net glory loss) results in a mass transfer of credits from a supernatural bank.
Italy has made a claim, citing that Columbus was born in Genoa and seems to be ethnically Italian. Genoa is part of present day Italy.
Spain has made a competing claim, saying that what matters is that his expedition was financed by the Spanish (or the precursor to what would become the Spanish state). Hence, just as we consider Napoleon French because his greatest achievements were in the service of France, so should we consider Columbus Spanish. He spent more of his life in Spain and Portugal than in Italy.
You are on the board and you can cast your vote in four directions (keep in mind that the ruling on net glory doesn’t affect who gets the monetary credits from the claim):
1. I vote for the Spanish claim. Columbus is a net glory gain.
2. I vote for the Spanish claim. Columbia is a net glory loss.
3. I vote for the Italian claim. Columbus is a net glory gain.
4. I vote for the Italian claim. Columbus is a net glory loss.
Discuss and justify. In light of his achievements, heritage, place of birth, time spent in either country and other considerations, is he more Spanish or Italian?
Should that country be proud to have him?