Readings latin american past

A Brief account of the destruction of the indies (1552)

Who/when: Bartolome de las casas. Spanish Dominican friar. Mid 16th century.

Key idea: documented horrific abuses of indigenous people by Spanish colonists, criticizing encomienda and calling for reform.

Why does it matter: one of the earliest moral critiques of colonialism: gives indigenous victims a voice: used later as evidence in debates about empires

General history of the indies (1552)

Who/when: Francisco Lopez de Gomara. Spanish historian (never visited the americas) 16th century

key idea; presents conquest of heroic terms, raises Spanish explorers (specially Cortes) portrays indigenous people as inferior.

why is it important: Represents the pro-Spanish, Eurocentric view of conquest; helps contrast with voices like Las Casas

Diary Excerpts (1492)

Who / When: Columbus, on first voyage, late 1492
Key Idea: Describes Caribbean islands and Indigenous peoples, framing them as “gentle,” potential converts, useful for Spain

Why It Matters: One of the first European impressions of the “New World”; sets tone for conquest and colonization

The First New Chronicle & Good Government (1615)

Who / When: Felipe Poma de Ayala, Indigenous Andean nobleman, early 17th century Peru

Key Idea: Critiques colonial abuses, advocates Indigenous rights, proposes reforms to Spanish king

Why It Matters: An Indigenous perspective on colonial rule; provides counter-narrative to colonial justifications

Happy Captivity (1673)

• Who / When: Francisco Núñez de Pineda y Bascuñán, Spanish soldier, 17th century Chile frontier
  
  

• Key Idea: Recalls his time captive among the Mapuche, describing respectful treatment, misunderstandings, cultural relations
  
  

Why It Matters: Challenges stereotypes of Indigenous “savages”; shows possibility of cultural complexity and mutual humanity

An Account of the Guaraní Missions (1747)

• Who / When:José Cardiel, Jesuit missionary in Paraguay, mid-18th century
  
  

• Key Idea: Defends the Jesuit reductions as beneficial, organized, spiritual, somewhat protective of Indigenous peoples
  
  

• Why It Matters: Example of Church involvement in colonial life; shows tension between exploitation and protection
  
  

Simón Bolívar — The Angostura Address (1819)

• Who / When: Bolívar, during Venezuelan/Gran Colombia independence context
  
  

• Key Idea: Argues for strong government, civic virtue, order, and warns against importing European models uncritically
  
  

Why It Matters: Key ideological document of Latin American independence; shows tensions between liberty and order

Frances Calderón de la Barca — Life in Mexico (1843)

• Who / When: Spanish woman living in post-independence Mexico
  
  

• Key Idea: Observations of Mexican society, culture, inequality, everyday life, especially the contrast between poverty and grandeur
  
  

• Why It Matters: Foreign observer’s lens; helps you see continuities of colonial structure after independence
  
  

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento — Facundo, Civilization and Barbarism (1845)

• Who / When: Argentine intellectual, mid-19th century
  
  

• Key Idea: Uses figure of caudillo Facundo to contrast “civilization” (European, urban, progress) vs “barbarism” (rural, strongmen, tradition)
  
  

Why It Matters: Classic text in Latin American thought; helps explain post-independence conflicts and ideas of modernization

Ricardo Palma — Bolívar’s Justice (Late 19th century)

• Who / When: Argentine intellectual, mid-19th century
  
  

• Key Idea: Uses figure of caudillo Facundo to contrast “civilization” (European, urban, progress) vs “barbarism” (rural, strongmen, tradition)
  
  

Why It Matters: Classic text in Latin American thought; helps explain post-independence conflicts and ideas of modernization

Alexander von Humboldt, Félix de Azara (Vargas), and Henry Koster – Colonial Economy (Textbook/Reader excerpts)

Context: Late colonial observers and travelers.

Main Idea: Describe mining economies in Peru/Mexico and agricultural plantations in Brazil.

Themes:

• Extractive economy (silver, sugar).
  
  

• Reliance on Indigenous and African labor.
  
  

Class and racial hierarchy in economic life.

Connect to essay: Economy of extraction; comparison between Spanish and Portuguese America.