The Catholic Association of Propagandists (ACdP) has done its own reading of Spanish history. “Neither genocidaires nor slavers, they were heroes and saints”, this is the message they preach before Columbus Day through large posters placed on the marquees of cities throughout Spain. This is how they intended to legitimize the conquest of America by the Spanish from October 12, 1492.
A QR code accompanying the posters links to a video posted on the YouTube channel of ACdP, an entity associated with CEU San Pablo University. In this film there takes place a “duel”, as it is called, between Francisco, presented as a history graduate and defender of human rights, and a Latin American, supposedly named Sebas. There is no more information about them. Overacting is the star of the fake set created for the occasion.
Thus, the association aims to dismantle in just two minutes what it calls the “black legend” through just a few questions: what were the main colonies of Spain in America and the real motivation of the crown of Castile in America .
The Latin American man claims that Spain did not commit genocide, as the French and English did. Furthermore, he emphasizes that “there was a great mixture” between Spaniards and indigenous people, “that is why we preserve indigenous traits.” He also argues that “the real reason for expansion was faith”, in response to the alleged historian’s comments, who emphasize that “faith was an excuse, what they wanted was gold “.
Alfredo González Ruibal, historical archaeologist and researcher at CSIC, says this campaign can be considered “flat historical earthism” since “even the most conservative historians would not support this vision.” In their view, however one characterizes the effects of the conquest, its most direct result was the death of up to 90% of the population due to the demographic collapse caused by disease, the mistreatment of indigenous peoples and their enslavement. .
Conquest, synonymous with extermination
As for whether what Spain did upon its arrival in America can be considered genocide, the specialist explains that “genocide as a planned extermination and general state policy did not exist as such than in the 19th century. On the other hand, “practices with genocidal results” had already been carried out, such as those of the Spanish in the West Indies or the British and French in North America. This means that “the very development of the Spanish conquest led to the extermination of many indigenous peoples, but not because they wanted to kill them all,” comments the archaeologist.
This genocidal state mentality did exist during the second colonial wave, which began in the late 18th century. “Spain does not participate because it did not experience imperial expansion, but rather retreated. It’s not that we are morally superior. In fact, in Equatorial Guinea, where Spain had sovereignty, planned genocidal practices were documented,” adds the CSIC researcher.
Miscegenation as sexual violence
Regarding miscegenation, González Ruibal emphasizes that it occurred more in the Spanish case, especially in state areas, such as the Andes and Mexico. “We are talking about a larger mass of population and a sedentary society with a state character compared to the areas occupied by the French and the British,” he says. In any case, with the English there was also a certain mixture, something which is even part of popular culture and which is reflected in the story of Pocahontas.
Beyond that, there is evidence that the issue of miscegenation involved another form of violence, primarily sexual. This is what happened in the Canary Islands, the first place colonized by Castile, recalls the expert, where the male lines disappeared “because they massacred or reduced men to slavery, while the conquerors “married women mainly through mass rape which allowed them to pass on their genes”, in the words of the archaeological historian.
Spain, at the head of slavery
“Spain had to continually enact laws against slavery because they were not respected. In fact, slavery only ended in the 18th century, later than is usually thought,” explains the researcher. Laws that theoretically prohibited slavery always left exceptions that allowed it, for example against indigenous peoples considered cannibals or who violently opposed conquest.
The archaeologist highlights this “pink legend” about the Spaniards and the supposedly more benevolent treatment they gave to the communities they conquered. “In the case of slavery, Spain is one of the last countries to completely ban it. In Cuba, it did it in 1880, just behind Brazil, which did it in 1888,” he emphasizes. And he adds: “Spain cannot show its chest by saying that we were not slave owners because we were, and more than anyone else. »
The situation did not change once human trafficking was banned. “When this was no longer authorized in all European countries, some, particularly from Catalonia, made great fortunes thanks to trade and illegal trafficking. And they did it with people even from places outside the scope of Spanish sovereignty, such as in Sierra Leone,” explains González Ruibal.
Propagandists of lies
For this expert, the ACdP exaggerated the differences between the Spanish, French and British to present a “totally benevolent vision of the Spaniards and totally negative of the other European colonizers who pursue nationalist objectives”. The form, beyond the content, also speaks to the way in which this type of reactionary organizations transmit their messages: “These are cultural artifacts that have permeated the collective mentality for a decade. In addition, they serve those who also defend the same message, although in a somewhat more subtle way, to say that these people are a little crazy, when in reality they are all defending the same positions”, explains González Ruibal.
He, as a researcher and expert in the field, is more concerned with other publications such as those made by Academia Play or those of Roca Barea, names that he explicitly mentions. “What this association has done is not very different from what José Luis López-Linares is doing [director de ”España, la primera globalización“ e ‘Hispanoamérica, canto de vida y esperanza’]. The king came to the premiere of his documentary. “I do not understand how the representative of a State can legitimize an ultra-reactionary pamphlet with ideas that the most conservative historians have demystified,” concludes the CSIC researcher.
Mexico, conquest and Felipe VI
The campaign orchestrated by the ACdP, in addition to taking place a few days before the celebration of the national holiday, coinciding with the conquest of America, does so a few weeks after Mexico decided not to invite Felipe VI to the inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum, the country’s first female president.
In March 2019, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, former Mexican president, addressed the Spanish Royal House: “The State over which I preside does not seek compensation for the material damage of the grievances caused to it by Spain and does not intend to do so. proceed legally before them; On the other hand, Mexico wants the Spanish State to recognize its historical responsibility for these crimes and provide an appropriate apology or political compensation.” The Royal House never responded.
