Which of the following best explains the underlying cause of the Spanish actions described by Las Casas?

A. Racism

B. Religion

C. Desire for wealth

D. Fear of native power

the answer is A. Racism

#FreeMelvin

A. Racism

Explanation:

Bartolomé De las Casas (1484-1566) came to the Americas to get rich. He had been awarded a commission that included indigenous people and lands, the dream of all conquerors. The young encomendero took the habits of the Dominicans and life seemed easy and full of opportunities. But there was something that was not entirely to his liking, although not even he knew exactly what.

One afternoon in 1511, during Mass, Father Montesinos began shouting at the parishioners, among whom was De las Casas. Montesinos kept calling them sinners and sent all encomenderos to hell. The preacher condemned them to the eternal fire for torturing and killing the natives, who, according to this revolutionary, were also people.

Montesinos preached before a hostile audience, the same one that successfully asked to be expelled from America and sent back Spain. However, that afternoon De las Casas finally understood what he disliked about his company. Bartholomew resigned his assignment and after studying and reflecting, he dedicated the rest of his life to defending the souls and bodies of the original inhabitants of America.