what are the main features of spanish colonialism?

Answer 1

=== Unlike the other European colonists of that age, the Spaniards were vitally concerned with the moral problems of the conquest, conversion, and government of so-called heathen peoples. If the great majority of conquistadores ruthlessly pursued gold, power, and status, they also took with them Dominican and Franciscan friars who set themselves to convert and educate the American Indians and, sometimes, to protect them from their Spanish masters. The Dominican Bartolomé de Las Casas fought long battles to modify at least the greatest evils of colonial exploitation. His debates with a theologian, Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda, and the writings of Francisco de Vitoria provide the first systematic discussions of the moral and legal problems of conquest and colonial rule. Their importance lay in their effects on Spanish colonial legislation. The Leyes Nuevas (“New Laws of the Indies”) of 1542 were based largely on the arguments of Las Casas. While in the Spanish colonies these laws were breached more than observed, they provided at least some protection for the Indians, and there was nothing like them in any of the other European overseas colonies of the period. However, even Las Casas supported the transatlantic slave trade of black Africans until late in his career, when he began to recognize its evils.


=== New Laws to the Peace of Augsburg (1542–1555)
Spain did pass some laws for the protection of the indigenous peoples of its American colonies, the first such in 1542; the legal thought behind them was the basis of modern international law. Taking advantage of their extreme remoteness, the European colonists revolted when they saw their power being reduced, forcing a partial revoking of these New Laws. Later, weaker laws were introduced to protect the indigenous peoples but records show they had little effect. The restored Encomenderos exploited the Indians rather than taking care of them.

Answer 2

Killing the locals because they are less than human and don't believe in GEEZUS.

Enslaving the natives so they can work the gold and silver mines.

Killing and maiming the natives because it's what GEEZUS and the POPE wants.

If I could go back in time, I would love to be waiting on that beach in Hispanola with my AR-15 and 1000 rounds of ammo... and I'd kill Columbus AND all of his men before they could bring their religion and their ideas to the new world