Abstract
This study reviews the legal history of Spanish colonization in the Americas during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. By 1492, Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) had discovered the New World, thus ushering in the Spanish Golden Age (Siglo de Oro). While the Spanish empire assumed control over the so-called “Indias,” it faced unprecedented challenges in the realm of indigenous governance. Therefore, Spanish thinkers embarked on a sustained analysis of relevant issues in political, moral, and legal philosophy. This study examines the literary works of three important writers, namely Bartolomé de las Casas (1484-1566), Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda (1490-1573), and Francesco de Vitoria (1483-1546). These writings reveal shifts in legal understanding and interpretation as the imperial government extended political control beyond traditional boundaries.
Keywords
Spanish Golden Age (Siglo de Oro), indigenous peoples, Age of Discovery, legal history, just war theory
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