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The Role of Religion
The role of religion is often looked upon as one of the most prominent foundations in a society. Despite the success that was evident in the Spanish empire, the need to spread religion was always in the back of the Spaniards’ minds. The Spaniards, with their determination to convert Native Americans and their American subjects to one religion- Catholicism, proved to be no easy task because of the many conflicts that followed along with it.
During the late 1500’s, the Spaniards made an effort in sending missionaries to the Americas to convert the Native Americans into Catholicism, which they believed was the one true religion.[1] The Spaniards believed that the Native Americans were barbaric savages who believed in the worship of devils. Despite that mindset, the Spaniards also believed that each and every one of the Indians had a soul that was capable of finding God.[2] Those who failed or resisted the conversion to Catholicism were often believed to be indicators of the works of Satan.
In the efforts to further convert the Indians into Catholics, the Spaniards, in 1512, took a chance and developed the encomienda system. Through this system, the conquistadors were given the conquered natives’ lands and were required to civilize the Native Americans by Christianizing them. This system, however, turned out to be short-lived and ineffective because too many times did the conquistadors abuse their powers by increasing taxes, obtaining land, and forcing the natives into slavery, when in actuality, the natives were supposedly free individuals.[3]
In the year of 1517, the uprising of conflicts increased drastically. One instance in particular that opposed of Catholic teaching was the ideas of Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a German priest who insisted that the individuals interpret the Bible on their own rather than have the priest interpret it. As part of his plan, he developed the Ninety- Five Theses in which he stated the wrongful acts that the Catholic Church performed: included was the behavior of selling indulgences.[4] Martin Luther’s act led to the rise of many Protestant churches, which then resulted in disagreements over the correct method of religious practices in the Spanish empire.
Although the role of religion caused many conflicts and disputes throughout the Spanish empire, religion still played a principal role in fostering the lives of the Spaniards.
[1]“Exploration and Colonization”, The Spanish Empire in America, accessed February18, 2014,http://www.historydoctor.net/Advanced%20Placement%
[2]Ojibwa, November 2,2010,” 16th Century Spanish Religious Views of American Indians”, Native American Netroots, http://nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/745
[3]Ibid.
[4]Eric Foner, Give me Liberty: An American History, 3rd ed. (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011), 31