Final Answer:
De las Casas might have felt moved to write his account of the conditions he witnessed due to his moral convictions and the desire to advocate for indigenous rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bartolomé de las Casas was a Spanish colonist who became deeply troubled by the mistreatment and exploitation of indigenous people in the Americas. Witnessing the atrocities committed against the natives, including enslavement and brutalities under the encomienda system, deeply affected his conscience. As a former encomendero himself, de las Casas experienced a profound moral awakening and felt compelled to speak out against the injustices he observed.
His firsthand experiences and moral convictions led him to seek redress for the indigenous population by documenting the horrific conditions they endured. De las Casas believed in the humanity and dignity of the native people and felt a moral obligation to expose the cruelty and advocate for their rights. His writing, particularly in works like "A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies," served as a powerful condemnation of the violence and exploitation inflicted upon indigenous communities by the Spanish colonizers.
Moreover, de las Casas aimed to influence Spanish authorities and public opinion, hoping to spark reforms and change the policies that perpetuated such inhumane treatment. His writings became instrumental in raising awareness about the plight of the indigenous population, contributing to debates on colonial policies and challenging the prevailing attitudes of the time regarding the treatment of native populations. Ultimately, his motivation to write stemmed from a deep sense of moral responsibility to defend the oppressed and to advocate for justice and compassion towards the indigenous people of the Americas.