“Bartolomé de las Casas improved the treatment of indigenous populations.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Bartolomé de las Casas improved the treatment of the indigenous populations in the Americas. Improvements may extend beyond the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to de las Casas’ efforts to document the mistreatment of the indigenous populations, efforts that led to the Hieronymite reforms (though largely unsuccessful); success in arguing for the issuance of the New Laws that would call for the termination of the encomienda system; his participation in the Valladolid debates arguing for the indigenous as “fully human” and for their improved legal status. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example the death threats that caused de las Casas to leave New Spain or the limited impact of the reforms, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that Bartolomé de las Casas improved the treatment of the indigenous populations in the Americas. This was a rare choice and produced few essays of quality.