Doctrineofdiscovery.org

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The doctrine of discovery is a legal doctrine that was used by European colonizers to justify their claims to land and resources in the Americas. The doctrine held that Christian nations had the right to claim and occupy land that was not being used by Christians. This doctrine was used to justify the colonization of the Americas, Africa, and Asia by European powers.

The doctrine of discovery was first articulated by Pope Nicholas V in the 15th century. In his papal bull Dum Diversas, Nicholas granted the Portuguese the right to conquer and enslave non-Christians in Africa. This bull was later used by other European powers to justify their own claims to land in the Americas.

The doctrine of discovery was challenged by some European thinkers, such as Francisco de Vitoria and Bartolomé de las Casas. However, it was not until the 19th century that the doctrine began to be overturned. In 1823, the United States Supreme Court ruled in the case of Johnson v. M'Intosh that the doctrine of discovery did not apply to the United States. This ruling helped to pave the way for the eventual abolition of the doctrine.

Today, the doctrine of discovery is considered to be a form of racism and colonialism. It is no longer recognized by international law, and it has been repudiated by many countries. However, the legacy of the doctrine of discovery continues to impact the lives of indigenous peoples around the world.

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