Las Casas' Reforms

Bartolomé de las Casas was a 16th-century Spanish historian and priest who advocated for the fair treatment of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. His reforms aimed to end the brutal slavery and exploitation of Native Americans by urging Spain to adopt more humane policies. He proposed replacing forced labor with voluntary work, promoting Christian instruction without violence, and advocating for better legal protections. Although not all his ideas were fully implemented, his efforts helped raise awareness about the injustices faced by Indigenous communities and contributed to early debates on human rights and ethical treatment in colonial administration.