Week 2: Bartolomé de Las Casas Flashcards
Bartolomé de Las Casas
Controversial figure in Spanish American history.
Encomienda
Land grant system allowing forced labor of natives.
Dominicans
Religious order advocating for native rights in Indies.
Protector of the Indians
Title given to Las Casas for advocating native rights.
New Laws
1542 legislation ending Indian slavery and encomiendas.
Charles V
Holy Roman Emperor who supported Las Casas’ reforms.
History of the Indies
Las Casas’ work documenting the treatment of natives.
Pentecost sermon
1514 sermon leading to Las Casas’ change of heart.
Cuba
Island where Las Casas served as chaplain.
Hispaniola
First island colonized by the Spaniards in the Americas.
Juan Gines de Sepulveda
Chronicler opposing Las Casas’ views on conquest.
Commission of 1550
Group debating justice of conquest
Slave Absolution
Las Casas refused absolution to slave owners.
Education with Dominicans
11 years spent promoting native rights and education.
Spanish Colonists
Opposed Las Casas’ reforms and advocacy for natives.
Forced Labor
Labor system imposed on natives under encomienda.
Shipwreck
Incident where Las Casas salvaged books from mud.
Seville
Birthplace of Las Casas in 1484.
Indies
Term referring to the Caribbean and surrounding areas.
Bishopric of Chiapa
Position held by Las Casas in southern Mexico.
Charles V’s Audience
Meeting where Las Casas secured support for reforms.
Renaissance Humanist
Sepulveda’s role defending conquest
Campaign for Rights
Las Casas’ lifelong effort to protect native populations.
Bartolomé de Las Casas
Pioneer anthropologist advocating for Indian humanity.
A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies
Las Casas’ 1552 work detailing Spanish atrocities.
Cholula Massacre
Mass killing of nobles to instill fear.
Humanity of Indians
Las Casas argued for Indians as rational beings.
Equality for All
Las Casas promoted equal treatment for all people.
Religious System
Indigenous cultures had complex religious beliefs.
Political Organization
Indians had structured governance and leadership.
Social Organization
Indigenous societies had intricate social hierarchies.
Gines de Sepulveda
Critic of Las Casas
Intellectual Capacity
Debate on the cognitive abilities of Indians.
Massacre Pattern
Spaniards used public massacres to terrorize populations.
Cultural Sophistication
Las Casas recognized advanced cultures among natives.
Protests Against Atrocities
Las Casas campaigned against Spanish violence.
Witness: Writings of Bartolomé de Las Casas
Collection of Las Casas’ significant writings.
George Sanderline
Editor of Las Casas’ selected writings.
Resource List
Recommended readings for deeper understanding.
Las Casas’ Mission
To advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples.
1550 Disputation
Debate on the treatment of American Indians.
Cultural Destruction
Impact of colonization on Indigenous cultures.
Human Sacrifice Debate
Discussion on morality of Indigenous practices.
Massacre Tactics
Spaniards lured nobles for surprise attacks.
Victims’ Pleas
Survivors sought mercy after the massacre.
Spanish commander
Leader ordering execution of captured citizens.
Roped citizens
Over a hundred leading citizens tied together.
Burned alive
Method of execution used against captured citizens.
Quu
Local name for the fortified temple.
Stout defence
Strong resistance put up by temple occupants.
Bartolomé de las Casas
Cleric concerned about treatment of Indigenous people.
Repartimiento
System of forced labor involving Indigenous peoples.
Encomienda
Land grant system allowing Spanish to exploit labor.