Historia De Las Indias (vol. 3 De 5)

''Historia de las Indias (vol. 3 de 5)'' by Bartolomé de las Casas is a historical account written in the late 16th century. This work provides a detailed examination of the Spanish colonization of the Americas, focusing on the treatment of Indigenous peoples and the consequences of European conquests. The author, a Dominican friar and one of the first advocates for the rights of Indigenous populations, critiques the brutal exploitation and violence perpetrated against them by colonizers. The opening of the work presents a preliminary warning about the narratives that will unfold, detailing significant events from previous books while introducing stories of the Spanish endeavors in the New World. It highlights the arrival of Columbus back to Spain after his first voyages and the political maneuvers surrounding his privileges. In this portion, Las Casas outlines the injustices faced by the native populations, including the harsh treatment from the Spanish conquistadors and the establishment of exploitative systems such as encomiendas. The text sets the stage for a somber examination of colonial history, drawing the reader’s attention to the moral implications of these early encounters.