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Analysis Of Sepulveda's Argument In Defense Of The Indians

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During the time of exploration of North America, questions arose of the Native people that inhabited the land, if they were or not capable of learning European cultural values, government, and converting to the faith of Christianity, and if not they should be enslaved to the Europeans. The primary document of “In Defense of the Indians” focuses on the argument between Bartolomé de Las Casas, an advocate for Native Rights, and Juan Gines de Sepulveda, a Spanish humanist, with opposing opinions on the enslavement and conversion of the Amerindians. The document focuses primary on Las Casas response and argument towards Sepulveda, Las Casas opposed his position and fought for his beliefs that the Natives deserved rights, protection, and were civilized beings. Las Casas often refers to Aristotle’s notions, as he believes that the Native people are capable of learning, are willing and able to convert to Christianity and should not be enslaved. Sepulveda argues that the Native people are “barbaric”, are lesser beings than the Europeans and should be enslaved for these very reasons. The document is unique for its time as it was during the early years of colonization and to have such a strong advocate for Native Rights with opinions not entirely dismissed by the clergy and Spanish. By reading the document is shown how the Europeans deduced if Native …show more content…

The Romans did not enslave them, take away their liberty and force them into the mines for precious metals, and even if the Romans did, it would not have been the proper way to remove barbarism. Therefore the same applies to the Natives; taking away their freedom would not remove their barbarism, but rather teaching them. “…they are easy to teach and very talented in learning all the liberal arts, and very ready to accept honor, and observe the Christian religion and correct their

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