“This, then, was the Old World on the eve of Columbus’s departure in 1492. For almost half a millennium Christians had been launching hideously destructive holy wars and massive enslavement campaigns against external enemies they viewed as carnal demons and… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“it could not and would not happen so long as Christians “continued to believe that natural man was totally corrupt, that suffering and subordination were necessary parts of life, and that the only true freedom lay in salvation from the… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“As with Hispaniola, Tenochtitlán, Cuzco, and elsewhere, the Spaniards’ mammoth destruction of whole societies generally was a by-product of conquest and native enslavement, a… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“Should Indian adults attempt to use the California courts to bring such killers to justice, they invariably were frustrated because the law of the… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“I certify to you that, with the help of God, we shall powerfully enter into your country and shall make war against you in… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“Given the shortage of women in California during these early years of white settlement, “a likely young girl” might cost almost double that of… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“Elie Wiesel is right: the road to Auschwitz was being paved in the earliest days of Christendom. But another conclusion now is equally evident:… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“And on April 30th, one month later, a royal decree was issued suspending all judicial proceedings against any criminals who would agree to ship… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“No sooner were the ships unloaded, however, than sickness broke out among the crews. It quickly spread among the natives, who had come to… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“For while those like Señor Coma of Aragon were drawing a parallel between darkness of flesh and commitment to cannibalism—while Columbus and others were… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“On the very day that Columbus finally set forth on his journey that would shake the world, the port of the city he sailed… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“For among the many things that warfare does is temporarily define the entire enemy population as superfluous, as expendable—a redefinition that must take place… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“The destruction of the Indians of the Americas was, far and away, the most massive act of genocide in the history of the world.… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
“Such brutishness was beyond the English capacity for tolerance. Especially when the vulgarians in question occupied such lovely lands. So, as they had for… — David E. Stannard Copy Share Image
