Doctrine of Discovery: Verbatim
Doctrine of Discovery: Verbatim The term “Doctrine of Discovery” refers to the legal and religious justifications used to seize Native lands. It first appears in 15th Century Papal Bulls (edicts) that gave early explorer the right to claim “discovered” lands and enslave and/ or convert the pagan inhabitants. Papal Bulls typically cited as part of the Doctrine of Discovery include Romanus Pontifex and Inter Caetera. The Church of England had its own version, the Royal Charter of 1496. Below are excerpts from English translations. Romanus Pontifex (1454) Pope Nicholas V to the King of Portugali Nicholas, bishop, servant of the servants of God. for a perpetual remembrance…. … [W]e bestow suitable favors and special graces on those Catholic kings and princes, who, like athletes and intrepid champions of the Christian faith … not only restrain the savage excesses of the Saracens and of other infidels, enemies of the Christian name, but also for the defense and increase of the faith vanquish them and their kingdoms and habitations, though situated in the remotest parts unknown to us … [We grant to King Alfonso the right] to invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue all Saracens and pagans whatsoever, and other enemies of Christ wheresoever placed … and to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery, and to apply and appropriate to himself and his successors [their] kingdoms, dukedoms, counties, principalities, dominions, possessions, and goods, and to convert them to his and their use and profit … [W]e do by these [documents] forever give, grant, and appropriate to the aforesaid King Alfonso and his successors … the provinces, islands, harbors, places, and seas whatsoever, how many soever, and of what sort soever they shall be … Inter Caetera (1493): Pope Alexander VIii Portugal and Castile (Spain) had been vying for African colonies for a century prior to Columbus' voyage.
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