Question

How did Bartolome de las Casas influence the treatment of native peoples in the 1500's?

Answer 1

Las Casas explaining his opinions and how they affected attitudes in Europe.

Answer 2

I remember that in History. God I miss that Class...

Anyways, we're speaking about the Spanish man who despised the cruel treatment of Natives, correct?

Answer 3

Yes we are.

Anyways, one of the biggest things he noted were how feeble the natives were. Not that they were weak, but they were not able to handle the diseases and torture that the Spanish brought.

So, he wrote a it of propaganda on it, and the up-cry in Europe was pretty huge. It put a lot of pressure on the poor slave holders who were abusing the Natives this way, so the native slave trade pretty much died around there.

One of the biggest impacts he had, in my opinion, was when he suggested using black slaves instead, if only because they were hardier, could handle the mines, and most importantly, were used to any diseases the conquistadors brought. (Note that although Smallpox was really deadly to most races, to the Africans it was just like having Chicken Pox--Not life-threatening.)

Anything else you needed to know?