Bartolom de Las Casas and the Conquest of the AmericasMP3 CD, 24 January 2017

This is a short history of the age of exploration and the conquest of the Americas told through the experience of Bartolom de las Casas, a Dominican friar who fervently defended the American Indians, and the single most important figure of the period after Columbus.

• Explores the period known as the Encounter, which was characterized by intensive conflict between Europeans and the people of the Americas following Columbus's voyages
• Argues that Las Casas, "protector of Indians," was primarily motivated by Scripture in his crusade for justice and equality for American Indians
• Draws on the 14 volume Complete Works of Las Casas as a window into his mind and actions
• Encourages students to understand history through the viewpoint of individuals living it.