The Great Debate Bartolom Las Casas Took part

The Great Debate

Bartolomé Las Casas • Took part in the colonization of Cuba at the age of 18 • Briefly held an encomienda – led him to become a Dominican friar

Las Casas • Wrote several books revealing the horrific treatment of the natives • Went to Spain to plead with King Charles V to stop the misuse of the Indians • In 1542, the Spanish government passed the New Laws of the Indies – reformed encomienda system and banned Indian slavery

Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda • Spanish philosopher, served as an official historian for King Charles I • Spent his entire life in Europe – never exposed to any native American cultures

Sepúlveda • Defender of the Spanish right of conquest – it is the right of a conqueror to take territory by force of arms • Studied the works of Aristotle and wrote his own works about his view of war

The Great Debate at Valladolid • Organized by Charles V, King of Spain in 1550 • To give an answer to the question whether the Native Americans were capable of governing themselves

Outcome • No records of the actual proceedings have been found to date, which forces historians to rely on the two sides’ later accounts. As expected, both Sepúlveda and Las Casas claimed to have prevailed at Valladolid.

Outcome • In 1573, the King of Spain issued “Laws Concerning Discoveries, Pacifications and Settlements Among the Indians” which was an extensive series of laws about exploration, settlement and the treatment of Indians. The new laws did not speak of “conquest, ” but rather of the “pacification” of the Indians.

Reflection 1) Who do you think won the debate? Give your reasons why. 2) What effect do you think the decision had on the development of human rights in the world?