Bartolomé de las casas: “In defense of the Indians” (around 1550). Bartolomé de Las Casas describes the treatment reserved for Native Americans at the start of the colonization of the first thirteen colonies. Bartolomé de las casas was a Spanish historian who, in the 16th century, received the title of protector of the Indians and served on the Council of the Indies. Bartolomé de las casas had "the intention of revealing to Spain that...its colonial territory" rule would lead to...punishment from God" (LUNENFELD 6) This text was created to highlight the difficulties faced by the natives during the era of exploration. The natives were severely affected by the influx of Europeans and, because of this, faced many hardships such as disease, war and disruption to their way of life. That's how it is, and how is it possible that another land mass is unknown to many for so long. But those who know what is happening beyond the Atlantic know that this Agenda of the King and Queen must be carried out and that to do so would be to claim land for Spain in order for it to be settled. In addition to this, it is a question of collecting more of the wealth of the Americas for the benefit of Spain in its conquest of the Americas. Bartolomé de las casas had hoped to prevent further damage to the Indians and make it clear that they were not barbarians. From the text named Bartolomé de las casas: In defense of the Indians (circa 1550), it covers what the Spanish conquistadors will be and talks about the natives who, at the time seen by many, are barbaric, ignorant, incapable of learning, just another group of people to conquer. But for Catholic missionaries, they saw the natives as new people to influence and enlighten. But if at any point the person abandons their Christian belief, they will use deadly force against them or their family. Hernán adds to this that their cities “deserve admiration for their construction, which resembles those of Venice” (Poole 4). Even if the argument remains: would the natives really have had a chance ?