Las Casas and New World: module 2

Las Casas: Module 2

 

Fray Bartolome de Las Casas became famous for his book “A Very Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies.” He stood for Indians and denounced Spain for causing the death of millions of innocent people during its the conquest and the colonization. His courageous movements earned him the title “Defender of the Indians.”(1)

Las Casas family knew about Christopher Columbus well. (1) Las Casas’s father and his uncle had sailed on Columbus’s second voyage.(2) When Columbus came back from his first voyage (1493), Las Casas met the Indians for the first time. He was shocked when he saw them. That was when he was about 9 years old. After his father came back from voyage, his family became wealthy and had holdings on Hispaniola.(1)  Las Casas would mediate between pope and Columbus. He also edited Columbus’ journal during his voyage. Columbus and Las Casas' family were very close. Through Las Casas' sailing to America several times, he found Spains' stern treatments to the Native Americans. 1552, he published his book, "A Brief Account of the Destructions of the Indies" and criticized Spain.

I believe Las Casas was very brave man who could be honest to his brief and criticize his country. He fought for indians’ right, but he suggested that Africans could work instead of native Americans. He didn’t feel Africans as same as Native Americans. In 16 century, Europeans hadn’t accepted Africans as human beings. Baron de Montesquieu stated that “It is impossible to think Africans are rational.”  (4) (5) In his book, the spirits of the law(1748), he said European and African are totally different. Thus, It was very natural that Las Casas thought Africans were good for the slaves in America.

What happened after he blamed his country Spain? Las Casas’s writings translated almost immediately into several European languages. It might help native Americans, but the image of Spain turned to be brutal and exploitative colonizer because of his book.(2) Actually, England experienced many massacre to get indians’ land, so England should have been blamed, too. But the image of the history is "Spain was very savage and England was a hero of creating new world." Maybe it is because Cortez conquered Azteca kingdom. But I think it’s because many people in Spain stood for Native Americans earlier than other people. For example, Las Casas or princess Isabel adviced to respect Native Americans as human beings. And England (or some other countries) used them as a reason for depriving Spanish’s colonies. England did a same (or more cruel) job as Spain but England hided how they treat Native Americans.

(1)Christopher , Minster. "About.com". 06/29/09 .

(2) Eric, Forner. Give Me Liberty! An American History. New York: W.W.Norton, 2005.

(3)David , Raymond. "you tube". 06/29/09

(4)”Revolution”.06/29/09

        <http://revcom.us/a/120/montesquieu-correction-en.html>