After rampant abuses of New World natives by Spanish colonists, the Laws of Burgos were enacted by Spain in December, 1512. These laws established guidelines for how native peoples were to be treated.
The laws provided that the natives were to be converted to Christianity. They were to be assembled in villages and taught the Catholic creed, the Lord's Prayer, Salve Regina and how to pray and to confess according to Roman Catholic practice. Christian baptism and burial were instituted, as was compulsory church attendance. As part of the Christianization of the natives, their forms of dancing were prohibited and old houses were burned.
At the same time, the Burgos Laws provided protections for the natives. Abuse of wage-earners was prohibited and inspectors were appointed to insure that the indigenous population was not abused by the Spaniards.
The Laws of Burgos was the first attempt to codify the rights of native peoples. It took 30 years to enforce them fully, however, and by that time large numbers of natives had died of overwork and disease.
