The Spanish Controversy

1550. In a convent in Valladolid, the capital of Spain, in the presence of a papal legate and a representative of Charles the Fifth, a controversy unfolds on a fundamental question: are Indians from the New World men? Have they been saved by the blood of Christ or are they born slaves? Two adversaries confront each other. A canon by the name of Sepulveda, a philosopher and translator of Aristotle, and the famous Dominican, Las Cases, a fervent protector of Indians. They both put forward numerous and articulate arguments. A large assembly follows their debate. The papal legate has brought over several natives from the new lands to confirm or invalidate the arguments. Those present will soon be able to observe whether they are capable of such human sentiments as fear or maternal love. Court jesters have been summoned to try and make them laugh. Everything happens in two days. The explosive debate is profound, baroque, premonitory. The fate of tens of thousands of men will depend for centuries to come on the decision to be taken. But which men?