Julia McClure

Historian Julia McClure discusses Christopher Columbus's legacy, from his exploration of the Americas to his treatment of indigenous populations. Topics include Columbus's origins, motivations for his voyage, legacy, impact on indigenous peoples, and the controversy surrounding Columbus Day.

Caroline Dodds Pennock, a Senior Lecturer in International History, John Edwards from the University of Oxford, and Julia McClure, specializing in Late Medieval History, tackle the intense Valladolid Debate of 1550. They unpack the ethical dilemmas surrounding Spanish colonization and the brutal encomienda system. The discussions highlight Bartolomé de Las Casas' transformation from a proponent of African slavery to a champion for Indigenous rights. They also explore the philosophical clash with Juan Gines Sepulveda and the enduring implications for human rights discussions.

Julia McClure, a Senior Lecturer in global history at the University of Glasgow, discusses her groundbreaking work on the Spanish Empire's moral-political economy of poverty. She traces how evolving perceptions of poverty shaped imperial governance and societal inequalities. McClure reveals the paradox of wealth accumulation during colonization and the legal constructs that justified exploitation. Additionally, she highlights Indigenous resistance, underscoring community solidarity as a challenge to colonial identity. Her insights connect historical poverty to today's social justice issues.