What is the requiemiento?

Answer 1

The Requerimiento was a formal declaration read by Spanish conquistadors in the Americas during the 16th century, asserting Spain's divine right to conquer and convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. It outlined the obligation of Indigenous leaders to accept Spanish rule and the Christian faith, often delivered in Spanish without translation, which many Indigenous people could not understand. This document served as a justification for the Spanish conquests and the subjugation of native populations, despite its ethical implications and the lack of genuine consent from those it addressed. Its use illustrates the colonial mindset and the legalistic frameworks employed to legitimize imperial expansion.