Exploring Human Rights and Property Rights in European Colonization

This chapter delves into the historical context of Spanish colonization in the Americas and the development of human rights discourse through the lens of 16th-century theologian Francisco de Vittoria. It explores the moral and legal implications surrounding property rights, the debates among theologians on rightful ownership of the land, and the justifications provided for dispossessing indigenous populations of their land. The chapter also discusses the concepts of dominion and natural rights as applied to indigenous populations and the rejection of such notions by certain historical figures advocating for broader views of personhood and rights.