Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By CNA Daily News - Europe (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Black legend of Spanish conquest is ‘profoundly anti-Catholic,’ historian says

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Painting by Dióscoro Puebla depicting the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America, on Oct. 12, 1492. / Credit: Dióscoro Puebla, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Puebla, Mexico, Oct 29, 2024 / 09:00 am (CNA).

For renowned historian Jorge Traslosheros, who holds a doctorate in Latin American studies, the so-called “black legend” of the Spanish conquest of lands in the Americas arose “essentially and fundamentally as a profoundly anti-Catholic narrative.”

Traslosheros, a professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, explained to the Spanish edition of EWTN News that the “black legend” emerged in the 18th century and was consolidated in that same period, driven by the competition between England and Spain for “dominance in the American colonies.”

In this context, he said, England constructed a narrative, commonly known as the “black legend,” in which it presented its people as “the good guys in history — Anglicans, Protestants — against the perverse Spanish Catholic empire.”

He pointed out that this narrative is based on “selectively” extracted interpretations from the accounts of figures such as Friar Bartolomé de las Casas, a Spanish Dominican missionary and chronicler known for being one of the main defenders of the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Americas.

According to Traslosheros, the “black legend” emphasizes “inferiorization” — that everything to do with the Americas “is inferior to European and what’s Catholic is the worst that can exist.”

Still employed today

The historian warned that today the “black legend” has become “a political discourse,” used with the intention of “polarizing” society.

“We return to the idea that only the pre-Hispanic past was good, beautiful, and true,” said the researcher, who argues that all evils are attributed to the period of the Spanish viceroys, such as “corruption, perversion, exploitation; evil comes from Spain.”

The viceroy ruled a particular territory in the Americas in the name of the Spanish monarch and had extensive powers and responsibilities.

Thus, the historian explained, “if all the evil comes from that time, we are not responsible for the evils of the present. It’s the perfect alibi for irresponsible political parties.”

Problems of Indigenous people didn’t begin with viceroys

Regarding the Indigenous people, Traslosheros explained that “the great problems of the communities” do not originate in the period of the viceroys, as some suggest, but come from the “liberal reforms” of the 19th century after independence from Spain was gained, when “the autonomy [of the Indigenous]  and their own forms of government, which were recognized by the Spanish monarchy, were denied.”

This problem is not exclusive to Mexico, he said, but affects all of Latin America, where “we cannot reconcile ourselves with our history. So we are totally deprived of the origin of our own culture, we are despising what we really are.”

The historian’s mission, he emphasized, “has nothing to do with judging the past” but rather with “understanding the past; that is, understanding how things happened in their own terms.”

In contrast, Traslosheros stated that “the mission of politicians is to win sympathetic support,” normally “by polarizing the arguments.” The historian emphasized the distinction that the black legend “is a historical narrative; it’s not the work of a historian.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Ana Paula Morales contributed to this story.


Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260147/black-legend-of-spanish-conquest-is-profoundly-anti-catholic-historian-says


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

MOST RECENT
Load more ...

SignUp

Login

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.