Goals Quote by Eduardo Galeano
““America was the vast kingdom of the Devil, its redemption impossible or doubtful; but the fanatical mission against the natives’ heresy was mixed with the fever that New World treasures stirred in the conquering hosts. Bernal Díaz del Castillo, faithful comrade of Hernán Cortés in the conquest of Mexico, wrote that they had arrived in America “to serve God and His Majesty and also to get riches.””
About This Quote
Source Historical Essay: The Open Veins of Latin America, Eduardo Galeano, 1971
Colonial conquest framed as divine mission, mixing religious zeal with greed for wealth, reflecting moral contradictions.
In simple terms: Conquest was justified by religion but driven by profit.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the hidden motives behind moral rhetoric.
Themes
colonialism
religion
greed
power dynamics
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- education
- political analysis
- social justice activism
- historical research
Key Concepts
imperialism
ethical hypocrisy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do modern narratives repeat these justifications?
- What responsibilities do we have to reinterpret history?
A Different Perspective
Simplifying complex histories can overlook indigenous agency.
![“I read "The Conquest of New Spain" by Bernal Diz Del Castillo, which I recommend to a lot of people. He was an eyewitness of [Hernando] Cortez's conquest of Mexico. It's at once very brutal and at times very plodding. It tells what they did everyday, so days can go by and nothing happens. Then all…” quote by Laila Lalami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b63/laila-lalami-25030_brutal_i-read-the-conquest-of-new-spain-by-bern_2123570.jpg)
