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How do you think Las Casas would feel about the respective actions of Columbus and Cortés towards the people in Hispaniola and Tenochtitlan? Why? Your answer should be in the form of a 75 to 100-word paragraph.

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Final answer:

Bartolomé de las Casas would feel deeply troubled by the actions of Columbus and Cortés due to his outspoken criticism of the Spanish treatment of indigenous peoples.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given Bartolomé de las Casas's advocacy for fair treatment of indigenous peoples, he would likely view the actions of both Christopher Columbus and Hernán Cortés as abhorrent. Columbus described the Native Americans as potential servants and naïve in warfare, taking a condescending and exploitative view. Las Casas, who once participated in the colonial system but later denounced its brutality, wrote about the Spanish as 'ravening wolves' towards Native Americans, condemning the harsh exploitation and killings. Las Casas's experiences made him a critical observer, and his work sought to illustrate the injustice and suffering of the Native people at the hands of the Spanish conquerors, such as Columbus and Cortés.

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