Spanish historian and missionary

(1474-1566).

Prolific writer and son of a merchant

Given a royal land grant (encomienda) for his work with the Spanish expeditions.

In 1513, helps in the conquest of Cuba and receives slaves and a large amount of land.

Who was he?

After 12 years in the Americas, turns

his attention toward helping the Indians.

Pleads for better treatment by the Spanish in 1515.

Turns in to the harshest critic of the encomienda system and European colonialism.

Attempts to turn Indians in to farmers and stop colonization by Spaniards.

After Conquest

Historia de las Indias, his most famous work, tells the history of Indian suppression by the Spaniards.

De las Casas sees Spanish injustices as worthy of God’s punishment.

Sees Spanish conquest in a religious light.

Later Life

Administrative body for Spain in the

Americas.

Serves from 1524 to 1812 in order to govern the Americas and Asia under Spain.

De Las Casas’ lobbying helps to reform the Council’s laws in 1542 with passage of The New Laws.

The New Laws seek to limit the power of Spain to exploit American Indians.

However, local rulers choose not to enforce New Laws. Why?

Council of the Indies

King Charles V of Spain signs the

New Laws which ensures encomienda Indian slaves would be released after a single generation.

De las Casas still seen as one of the most prominent defenders of the American Indian’s rights.

His writings continue to provide insight in to Spanish conquest of the New World.

Legacy

British use de las Casas’ accounts

of Spanish cruelty as propaganda for their own empire.

Black Legend: style of historical writing or propaganda that demonizes the Spanish Empire.

Las Casas accused of exaggeration and invention, and of promoting African over Indian slavery.

Recent scholarship – somewhere in between. Troubled activist.

Legacy (cont.)