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Why does Bartolome de las Casas describe the behavior of "Indians"? In what ways do you think this description is problematic?

a) Cultural understanding
b) Ethical reasoning
c) Historical accuracy
d) Ethnocentrism

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Bartolomé de las Casas described the mistreatment of Native Americans in his work, highlighting the need for change which led to the 1542 New Laws, but his descriptions could be problematic due to (d) ethnocentrism, (a) cultural misunderstanding, and (c) historical inaccuracy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bartolomé de las Casas describes the behavior of "Indians" through the lens of a former adventurer-turned-reformer, keen on advocating for the fair treatment of the native populations of the New World. In his work, A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies, he vividly depicts the brutal mistreatment and exploitation of Native Americans by Spanish colonists.


The description provided by Las Casas can be considered problematic due to aspects such as ethnocentrism, as it may reflect a biased view towards European cultural norms; cultural understanding, because it may lack a comprehensive grasp of indigenous ways of life and could be interpreted through a paternalistic perspective; and ethical reasoning, which highlights the moral dilemmas and challenges associated with such behavior.



Las Casas's advocacy led to significant reforms, such as the New Laws of the Indies for the Good Treatment and Preservation of the Indians issued by the Spanish Crown in 1542. Nonetheless, his descriptions and outlook on "Indians" bear the mark of his time, reflecting the complexities of historical accuracy when examining such sources.

User Dan Mazzini
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