Question

Despite Las Casas's vigorous defense of the Native Americans, what prejudices and assumptions of his own did he bring to bear in this work?

1) The Native Americans live in a "state of nature" superior to European philosophies.
2) The Native Americans were disorganized politically and would benefit from organizing themselves along the lines of a modern, European nation-state.
3) The Europeans, especially the Spanish, were seen as far more virtuous than the Native Americans.
4) For all their virtue, the Native Americans were still heathens who had to be converted to Christianity.

Answer 1

Las Casas held several prejudices and assumptions despite his defense of Native Americans, including views on their political organization and religious beliefs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Despite Las Casas's vigorous defense of the Native Americans, he still held his own prejudices and assumptions. Firstly, Las Casas believed that the Native Americans lived in a "state of nature" superior to European philosophies. Secondly, he thought that the Native Americans would benefit from organizing themselves along the lines of a modern, European nation-state, suggesting they were politically disorganized. Thirdly, Las Casas saw the Europeans, especially the Spanish, as far more virtuous than the Native Americans. Finally, while Las Casas defended the Native Americans, he also believed that they were heathens who needed to be converted to Christianity.