The Dark History of Spanish Colonization: Las Casas Plea for Indigenous Rights

Abstract

Destruction of the Indies The United States of America is a great nation that has a defined history of its diversified population. Indians are among the American people who form this great nation's indigenous Americans. Regardless of their status compared to the whites who signify superiority in all odds of life, the Indians still serve as indigenous Americans who suffered greatly either psychologically, physically, or mentally during colonial time. Upon his appointment as a Dominican friar, Las Casas unveiled the curtains of the agony that the Native Americans endured based on race, color among other factors. They advocated for the fair treatment of these indigenous Americans. Within this essay, the author aims at providing a detailed analysis of Las Casas intentions, which will respond to questions like what Las intended to say to Philip II, Las expectations from Philip upon receipt of the sad news, how Spaniard behavior towards Indians a poor reflection of Spain itself as well as any other cruel action that the Spanish expressed to the Indians. Upon his appointment as the Protector of the Indian, Las Casas decided to come out straight and fight for the Native American Rights without turning back. His message became directed to fighting slavery and the colonial abuse of the indigenous people. Las aimed at convincing the Spanish Courts to adopt a humane policy of colonization directed at treating the indigenous community in an affair manner (de Las Casas, 1-2). To this effect, Las's message to Philip II became primarily directed to defining Indians as ordinary humans deserving proper treatment regardless of their status in life that described them as slaves in the eyes of many Americans. The universal conception of human dignity, which can become defined as the universal conception of human rights, can be said to have been the key message that Las advocated for in more than half of his life. Casas emphasized to Philip of his concern for the indigenous Americans' souls, who declined dramatically due to harsh treatment from the colonial officers. From the priest's point of view, Las Casas argued that Spain could suffer divine punishment if its official continued to treat the Natives inhumanly with all its superiority and powers. Casas explains beyond a reasonable doubt to Philip why the rising cases of suicides amongst Indians resulted from harsh Spanish treatments towards them and their families in all areas that he visited. Such a message demanded that Philips promptly limit the Spanish officers their powers to humiliate the Native Americans. Casas further employs pathos to express his letter to Philip, which he directed to persuading him to take action and authorize for fair treatment of the indigenous Americans before they could all perish and vanish from the world. Other than dir the commanding Spanish officials to treat the indigenous American right, Casas also expected Philip to understand that human beings served as the primary target for colonization, thus the need for defined strategies and approaches while dealing with the differing populace that resided in Spain (de Las Casas, 7-10). To be precise, Casas aimed at making Philip feel for the indigenous people and act accordingly to allow for peaceful coordination and co-operation of the Spaniards and the indigenous population in building the new civilization in America as a team. Having endured great cruelty...