The Black Legend

The Black Legend refers to a negative portrayal of Spain, particularly during its colonial period, suggesting that the Spanish were uniquely cruel and brutal in their conquests and treatment of indigenous peoples in the Americas. This narrative emphasizes atrocities such as torture and enslavement, often contrasting Spain unfavorably with other colonial powers. While some critiques are justified, the Black Legend is seen by many historians as exaggerated or one-sided, serving political purposes to justify rival nations’ imperial ambitions, particularly by the British and Dutch. Thus, it highlights biases in historical accounts of colonialism.