In Defense of the Indians

by De Las Casas, Bartolome; Poole, Stafford

• ISBN13: 9780875805566
• ISBN10: 0875805566
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-04-01
• Publisher: Northern Illinois Univ Pr

Summary

Bartolom de Las Casas championed the rights of the Indians of Mexico and Central America, disputing a widely held belief that they were "beasts" to be enslaved. In a dramatic debate in 1550 with Juan Gin s de Sep lveda, Las Casas argued vehemently before a royal commission in Valladolid that the native inhabitants should be viewed as fellow human beings, artistically and mechanically adroit, and capable of learning when properly taught. In Defense of the Indians, Las Casas's classic treatise on the humanity of native peoples, had far-reaching implications for the policies adopted by both the Spanish Crown and the Church toward slavery in the New World. This carefully reasoned but emotionally charged defense addresses issues such as the concept of a just war, the relationships between differing races and cultures, the concept of colonialism, and the problem of racism. Written toward the end of an active career as "Protector of the Indians," the work stands as a summary of the teaching of Las Casas's life. Available in its entirety for the first time in paperback, with a new foreword by Martin E. Marty, In Defense of the Indianshas proved to be an enduring work that speaks with relevance in the twentieth-first century. Skillfully translated from Latin by the Reverend Stafford Poole, it is an eloquent plea for human freedom that will appeal to scholars interested in the founding of the Americas and the development of the New World.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Preface	xix
I. PRELIMINARIES
Introductory Letter by Bartolome de la Vega	3	(4)
Summary of the Defense	7	(4)
Summary of Sepulveda's Position	11	(6)
Preface to the Defense	17	(8)
II. THE DEFENSE
Introduction. Distinction of the different kinds of barbarians. First kind of barbarian: Any wild, inhuman, merciless man	25	(5)
Second kind of barbarian: Those who have no written language or persons with a language different from ours. Third kind of barbarian: Those in the strict sense. They are freaks of nature. If these include many men, God's creation would be ineffective	30	(7)
This last statement is true even if most men are corrupt, but they are not. Despite what Aristotle says about barbarians, Christians must treat them as brothers and men. They must be drawn gently	37	(4)
Indians are barbarians who have rule and state. They are mechanically skilled, not ignorant or uncivilized. Sepulveda's position would justify all kinds of wars. His distinction of greater and lesser beings is not valid here. People cannot be forced to accept benefits	41	(8)
Fourth kind of barbarian: All non-Christians	49	(5)
Sepulveda says that war is justified by the Indians' idolatry and their human sacrifice. But we can punish another's sins only if we have jurisdiction. The four ways in which unbelievers are subject to Christians. The Indians are not subject to Christians. The distinction of actual and potential jurisdiction	54	(9)
Unbelievers do not belong to the competence of the Church. The Church cannot uproot idolatry by force	63	(8)
Neither the Church nor Christian rulers can punish the idolatry of unbelievers. The worship of some god is natural	71	(8)
The Church has no power over unbelievers because they live outside the Church's jurisdiction	79	(6)
The Church has no jurisdiction over unbelievers. The preaching of the faith does not begin with the punishing of sins	85	(13)
The previous arguments are bolstered and confirmed by the example and practice of the Church. Appeal to and quoting of the Sublimis Deus of Paul III	98	(6)
Refutation of Sepulveda's arguments from Deuteronomy and Joshua. God did not command all idolaters to be killed or warred against. These passages refer to special cases, e.g., danger of idolatry, descent from Ham	104	(8)
Refutation of Sepulveda's citation of Saint Cyprian. Las Casas explains Cyprian's true position	112	(4)
Beginning of the explanation of the six cases in which the Church can exercise jurisdiction over unbelievers. The presuppositions. First case: If the unbelievers unjustly hold Christian lands. Second case: When they practice idolatry in lands formerly given over to Christian worship	116	(7)
Continuation of second case. Interpretation of the opinion of Pope Innocent IV	123	(3)
Continuation of the interpretation of Innocent IV. Conclusion: Refutation of idolatry as a basis for punishment	126	(4)
John Damascene's apparent contradiction of the conclusion. The types of ignorance found among idolaters	130	(6)
Further reasons excusing idolaters from formal sin. Return to the discussion of invincible ignorance	136	(5)
Refutation of Augustine of Ancona, who said that all creatures are subject to the Pope	141	(9)
The previous chapter is bolstered by an appeal to Saint Thomas Aquinas	150	(4)
Answer to another argument of Augustine of Ancona, viz., that the Pope can punish those who violate the natural law	154	(9)
Answer to the argument of Augustine of Ancona that unbelievers have actually been judged and condemned by the Church. Third case: If unbelievers are knowingly and maliciously blasphemous toward the Christian religion	163	(5)
Fourth case: If unbelievers deliberately hinder the spread of the faith or persecute those who accept it	168	(7)
The obligation of the Church to preach the gospel to every nation does not provide an excuse for war, for force cannot be used to spread the gospel	175	(7)
Further proof and discussion of the fourth case. Fifth case: If unbelievers attack Christian territories. The natural right of self-defense	182	(3)
Sixth case: If a people sacrifice human beings or commit cannibalism (Sepulveda's third argument). The Church does not have the obligation to rescue all the innocent, especially if large numbers will perish in the process	185	(5)
Further discussion of the previous chapter. The necessity of choosing the lesser of two evils. The need, at times, to use the law's permission	190	(5)
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah does not contradict these arguments, nor do other Old Testament stories, because the examples of the Old Testament must be admired but not imitated. All men are guilty by reason of original sin	195	(5)
Refutation of the argument that once a city has been condemned in a just war, all the inhabitants can be killed indiscriminantly	200	(4)
It is not lawful to afflict any number of innocent persons in order to rescue other innocent persons from sacrifice	204	(4)
In war, those guilty of sacrifice cannot be distinguished from the innocent	208	(4)
Continuation of the previous argument. The punishment of those guilty of sacrifice leads to scandal, and this must be avoided. Cannibalism is not intrinsically evil	212	(9)
Human sacrifice is not always evil for those who commit it	221	(22)
Recapitulation of arguments in Chapters Thirty-Two through Thirty-Seven	243	(6)
The hope and presumption that people can be converted from idolatry, and human sacrifice is another reason for not making war	249	(5)
The effectiveness of good preaching is proved by Las Casas's experience in the New World. Outside the six cases, the Church has no jurisdiction. Its jurisdiction is voluntary	254	(8)
Cajetan's ideas on war against unbelievers. Those who oppose him	262	(5)
Refutation of Sepulveda's fourth argument that war clears the way for the preaching of the gospel and the spread of the faith. The parable of the supper (Luke 14)	267	(7)
Further comments on persuasive compulsion. Interpretation of the parable of the supper	274	(5)
Refutation of the claim that Constantine the Great waged war to spread the Christian religion	279	(6)
The injustice of a war to spread Christian religion is demonstrated from various authorities	285	(19)
Reasons why unbelievers, in contrast to heretics, cannot be compelled	304	(5)
The thought of Saint Augustine on compulsion	309	(4)
Refutation of Sepulveda's appeal to the example of Gregory the Great	313	(8)
Refutation of Sepulveda's appeal to the example of the Roman Empire. God's use of tyrants to execute justice	321	(5)
Refutation of the first argument of John Mayor (Mayr) in favor of the Indian wars--the Indians will not otherwise receive Christianity	326	(4)
Refutation of Major's second argument--a king can be deprived of his rule if his people accept Christianity and he does not	330	(4)
Explanation of the thought of Saint Thomas Aquinas on compulsion	334	(3)
Refutation of Major's third argument--a people who accept Christianity should want to have their pagan ruler deposed	337	(5)
The story of Sepulveda's efforts to have his work published. Refutation of Oviedo's General History	342	(3)
Further refutation of Oviedo	345	(4)
Refutation of Sepulveda's claim that Alexander VI approved war against the Indians in the bull Inter Caetera	349	(4)
Further interpretation of Inter Caetera	353	(3)
How the Catholic kings interpreted Inter Caetera, especially in the codicil to Isabella's will	356	(2)
Further interpretation of Inter Caetera	358	(3)
Conclusion	361	(2)
Translator's Commentary	363