Setting the Stage (Continued): Early America and the Doctrine of Discovery
In the 1450s, 40 years before Christopher Columbus’ invasion of the Americas, the Pope issued two separate but similar charters called the bull Dum Diversas and the bull Romanus Pontifex. The first gave the King of Portugal the authority to conquer the “Saracens (Muslims), Pagans and any other unbelievers” and commit them to “perpetual servitude.”
The first papal bull type of written order issued by a Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. It is named after the seal (called a bulla) placed at the end of the document used to authenticate it. meant the Pope was endorsing Portugal’s conquests in North Africa, as well as in other parts of the world. The second gave permission to — and encouraged — the Catholic nations of Europe to colonize and overthrow non-Christian nations leading into the Age of Discovery A period of European history from the 15th to the 18th century defined by a large amount of overseas exploration .