El Requerimiento, 1513

Historical Context: The Spanish Requirement of 1513 (El Requerimiento) was a declaration by

Spain of its “God-given right” to take possession of the territories of the New World. The

Requirement was read—in Spanish—to Native Americans to inform them of Spain’s rights of

conquest. Those who resisted were considered in defiance of God’s plan.

In the name of the King, ... we their servants notify and make known to you, as

best we can, that the Lord our God, living and eternal, created the heaven and the

Earth…

… God our Lord gave charge to one man, called [The Pope], that he should be

lord and superior of all the men in the world, that all should obey him, and that

he should be the head of the whole human race, wherever men should live…;

One of these [Popes], made donation of these isles … to the King and to their

successors, our lords, with all that they are in these territories…

Wherefore, as best we can, we ask and require you that you consider what we

have said to you, and that you take the time that shall be necessary to

understand and deliberate (think) upon it, and that you acknowledge the

Church as the ruler and superior of the whole world…

But if you do not do this, and maliciously make delay in it, I certify to you that,

with the help of God, we shall powerfully enter into your country, and shall make

war against you in all ways and manners that we can, and shall subject you to

the yoke and obedience of the Church and of their highnesses; we shall take

you, and your wives, and your children, and shall make slaves of them, and as

such shall sell and dispose of them as their highnesses may command; and we

shall take away your goods, and shall do you all the mischief and damage that

we can… and we protest that the deaths and losses which shall accrue from this

are your fault, and not that of [the King], or ours, nor of these men who come

with us...”

Juan Lopez de Palacios Rubios, 1513 Modified from El Requerimiento translation

Document A

Depiction of Taíno encountering Christopher Columbus

Engraving by Theodor de Bry c. 15th century

The Granger Collection, New York

The P

Document B

Marco Polo with elephants and camels arriving at Hormuz on the Gulf of Persia

from India

c. 1415

By Boucicaut Master

“As a sample, I tell you, no day in the year passes that there do not enter the

city 1,000 cart loads of silk alone, from which are made quantities of cloth of

silk and gold, and of other goods.”

Juan Lopez de Palacios Rubios, 15th Century Modified from El Requerimiento translation

Document C

Historical Context: Vasco da Gama was an explorer from Portugal. He was famous for being

the first European to sail to India. His expedition to India opened an ocean route from Europe to

Asia for the first time. By finding this route, Portugal no longer had to use the Mediterranean

Sea, which was being controlled by other countries. The route also made it possible to travel

from Europe to Asia completely by water.

Below is an excerpt from the first-hand account of Vasco da Gama’s exploration that landed

him in India:

Vasco da Gama: Round Africa to India, 1497–1498

CE

On the following day (May 22) these same boats came again alongside,

when the captain-major sent one of the convicts… who could speak

Castilian and Genoese… They asked what he sought so far away from

home, and he told them that we came in search of Christians and of

spices… After this conversation they took him to their lodgings and gave

him wheaten bread and honey. When he had eaten he returned to the ships,

accompanied by one of the Moors, who was no sooner on board, than he

said these words: “A lucky venture, a lucky venture! Plenty of rubies, plenty

of emeralds! You owe great thanks to God, for having brought you to a

country holding such riches!” We were greatly astonished to hear his talk,

for we never expected to hear our language spoken so far away from

Portugal.

The city of Calicut is inhabited by Christians. [The first voyagers to India

mistook the Hindus for Christians.] They are of tawny complexion. Some of

them have big beards and long hair, whilst others clip their hair short or

shave the head, merely allowing a tuft to remain on the crown as a sign that

they are Christians. They also wear moustaches. They pierce the ears and

wear much gold in them… The women of this country, as a rule, are ugly and

of small stature. They wear many jewels of gold round the neck, numerous

bracelets on their arms, and rings set with precious stones on their toes. All

these people are well-disposed and apparently of mild temper. At first sight

they seem covetous and ignorant.

Modern History Sourcebook Edited by Paul Halsall

Document D

Demarcation Bull, granting Spain possession of lands discovered by Columbus, 1493

Historical Context: Following Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Western Hemisphere, both

Spain and Portugal attempted to claim the land that had not previously belonged to a Catholic

nation. As Christopher Columbus had discovered this land for Spain, the Spanish monarchy

was angry at Portugal. King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella, of Spain, asked the pope to

resolve the dispute. Pope Alexander VI issued the Bull of Demarcation, a document granting

Spain permission to claim all non-Christian land located to the west of an imaginary line known

as the Line of Demarcation. Portugal was entitled to claim the land to the east of the line. Upon

further exploration Portugal appealed the location of the line, which essentially granted them no

land to claim in the Western Hemisphere. The line was moved by the pope under the Treaty of

Tordesillas, allowing Portugal to claim the land now known as Brazil.

Below is an excerpt from the Bull of Demarcation:

“Among other works well pleasing to the Divine Majesty and cherished of our

heart, this assuredly ranks highest, that in our time especially the Catholic faith

and the Christian religion be exalted and be everywhere increased and spread,

that the health of souls be cared for and that barbarous nations be overthrown

and brought to faith itself.

We have indeed learned that you [Spain], who for a long time had intended to

seek out and discover certain islands and mainlands remote and unknown and

not hitherto discovered by others, to the end that you might bring to the

worship of our Redeemer and the profession of the Catholic faith their

residents and inhabitants …you, chose our beloved son, Christopher

Columbus… whom you furnished with ships and men equipped for like

designs …to make diligent quest for these remote and unknown mainlands and

islands through the sea[.]

They …discovered certain very remote island and even mainlands that hitherto

had not been discovered by others; wherein dwell very many peoples living in

peace, and, as reported, going unclothed, and not eating flesh.

In the island and countries already discovered are found gold, spices, and very

many other precious things of diverse kinds and qualities.

Moreover we command you in virtue of holy obedience that, employing all due

diligence in the premises …you should appoint to the aforesaid mainlands and

islands worthy, God-fearing, learned, skilled, and experienced men, in order to

instruct the aforesaid inhabitants and residents in the Catholic faith and train

them in good morals.”

Frontispiece, The Light of Navigation

Engraving by members of Dutch School, c. 1612 by Willem Blaeu

Frontispiece, The Light of Navigation

Art Analysis Worksheet

Step 1. Observation

A. Study the document for two minutes. Form an overall impression of the

document and then examine individual items.

B. Use the chart below to list people, objects, and activities in the image.

People Objects Activities

Step 2. Inference

Based on what you have observed above, list three things you might infer from this image.

Step 3. Question

According to this document, what factors contributed to European exploration?

Written Document Analysis Worksheet

Document Information (There are many possible ways to answer

A–E)

A. List three things the author said that you think are important. Explain.

B. Why do you think this document was written?

C. What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written? Quote from

the document.

D. According to this document, what factors contributed to European

exploration?

Step 1. Document Information Date(s) of Document: Author (or Creator) of the Document:

Step 2. Close Reading