Historian; the History of the Indies: Prologue: Why he wrote History. A portrait of Columbus. The verdict of Salamanca. San Salvador. Reception in Barcelona. The conquest of Cuba. Magellan and his globe. The character of Cortes.

Autobiographer; autobiography in the History of the Indies: "Are not the Indians men?" The conversion of Las Casas. First battles at court. Black slaves in the New World. Las Casas joins the Dominicans.

Anthropologist; the Apologetic history: The rationality of the American Indian. A description of Cuba. The ill effects of sadness and fear. Indian houses, featherwork, and silverwork. The marketplace of Mexico City. A volcano in Nicaragua. The meanings of "barbarous."

Political thinker, memorials and treatises: A New World utopia. The "Only method" of converting the Indians. A "Very brief account" of Spanish cruelty. Abolish the encomienda! The duty of reparation. A defense of human sacrifice. The restoration of the Indies. A declaration of human rights.

Bibliography (p. [203]-206).

Indians, Treatment of > Latin America.

America > Discovery and exploration > Spanish.

Spain > Colonies > America.