Document Analysis of Bartolome De Las Casas’ A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies
Who wrote this text and what was his role in society?
The author of this text is Bartolome De Las Casas, who was born in Sevilla, Spain 1484, to a family who were merchants and farmers . Coming from a wealthy family Bartolome had the opportunity to study Latin from the age of nine, these studies continued for five years while his father was away . When his father returned in 1498, Bartolome expressed the wish to study to become a priest. To prepare Bartolome for priesthood, his father got him to study canon law, which is eldest known working legal system. He continued his studies to become a priest until 1507 when he was appointed as a priest. In this time he also travelled to the New World (America). …show more content…
Las Casas’ opinions came to light after returning from his first trip to the New Spain (Mexico City) in 1506. A year later Las Casas went to visit Pope Julius II with Bartholomew Columbus, to sort out Christopher Columbus’ affairs. During this visit Las Casas also informed the Pope of the outrages happening in New Spain. Visiting the Pope lead to Las Casas taking up the task of Indian Doctrinero, the sanctioned examiner of the Indians; although he still owned multiple Indian people. This lasted until 1514 when Las Casas renounced his ownership of his
Who wrote this text and what was his role in society?
The author of this text is Bartolome De Las Casas, who was born in Sevilla, Spain 1484, to a family who were merchants and farmers . Coming from a wealthy family Bartolome had the opportunity to study Latin from the age of nine, these studies continued for five years while his father was away . When his father returned in 1498, Bartolome expressed the wish to study to become a priest. To prepare Bartolome for priesthood, his father got him to study canon law, which is eldest known working legal system. He continued his studies to become a priest until 1507 when he was appointed as a priest. In this time he also travelled to the New World (America). …show more content…
Las Casas’ opinions came to light after returning from his first trip to the New Spain (Mexico City) in 1506. A year later Las Casas went to visit Pope Julius II with Bartholomew Columbus, to sort out Christopher Columbus’ affairs. During this visit Las Casas also informed the Pope of the outrages happening in New Spain. Visiting the Pope lead to Las Casas taking up the task of Indian Doctrinero, the sanctioned examiner of the Indians; although he still owned multiple Indian people. This lasted until 1514 when Las Casas renounced his ownership of his