Description
Letter from Fray Toribio de Motolinía to Emperor Charles V
Book Summary
This work presents the famous letter that Fray Toribio de Motolinía addressed to Emperor Charles V in 1555 from Tlaxcala. In it, the missionary exposes the spiritual and economic situation of New Spain, defends the work of evangelization, and openly criticizes Bartolomé de las Casas. The reader will find a fundamental historical document for understanding the tensions of the American colonization process, as well as a defense of the indigenous people and mestizaje that offers a unique perspective on the early years of evangelization in Mexico.
What is it about?
The letter written by Fray Toribio de Motolinía in 1555 is a historical document addressed to Emperor Charles V. In its lines, the Franciscan missionary addresses the spiritual and economic reality of New Spain, positioning himself in defense of the Conquest, the settlers, and evangelization against the criticisms of Bartolomé de las Casas. Motolinía not only legitimizes the crown's presence in the colonization process, but also denounces the injustice and cruelty of conquerors and colonists toward the indigenous people. The work is a testimony to his fight to defend the natives against their exploiters, while also defending interculturality and mestizaje. It includes fragments where he criticizes the work of Las Casas, whom he accuses of not knowing the reality of New Spain nor the language of the Indians.
Main Topics
- Evangelization in New Spain during the 16th century
- The controversy between Fray Toribio de Motolinía and Bartolomé de las Casas regarding the treatment of the indigenous people
- The defense of the Conquest and the legitimization of the Spanish crown in America
- The denunciation of the exploitation and cruelty toward the native peoples
- Interculturality and mestizaje as foundational elements of colonial society
Who is it recommended for?
This book is intended for students and researchers of American history, specialists in the colonial period and evangelization in Mexico, as well as readers interested in the Chronicles of the Indies and the debates on the Spanish conquest. It will also be of interest to those seeking to understand the different positions within the Catholic Church regarding the treatment of indigenous people during the 16th century.
What this book offers
- Direct access to a fundamental 16th-century historical document, written by a direct witness of the evangelization in Mexico
- Understanding of the ideological tensions between the defenders of the indigenous people and the settlers during colonization
- A critical perspective on the figure of Bartolomé de las Casas from the eyes of another contemporary missionary
- First-hand knowledge of the spiritual, social, and economic situation of New Spain in 1555
Technical Specifications
- Author: de Motolinía, Toribio
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: CLASSIC TEXTS
- Collection: HISTORY
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: April 2025
- Number of pages: 44
- Weight: 100 g
Editorial Review
This edition from Linkgua Ediciones recovers an essential document for the study of American colonial history. Motolinía's letter offers a nuanced vision of the evangelization process, far from extreme positions and enriched by the missionary's direct experience. Reading it is essential for those who wish to form an informed opinion on the debates that marked the conquest and colonization of Mexico, as well as on the role of the Church in the defense of indigenous rights.