Why should the Spanish accept the new laws of 1542?

 The New Laws of 1542, also known as the New Laws of the Indies for the Good Treatment and Preservation of the Indians, were a set of regulations created by King Charles I of Spain to address the mistreatment of indigenous people in the Spanish colonies. The Spanish authorities, particularly those in the New World, should accept these new laws for several reasons:

1. Moral and Ethical Considerations: The New Laws were motivated by humanitarian concerns raised by reports of the harsh treatment and enslavement of indigenous peoples by Spanish colonizers and landowners. Accepting these laws would mean responding to a moral imperative to treat indigenous peoples more humanely.

2. Legal and Royal Authority: The New Laws were decreed by King Charles I, who had the legal and sovereign authority to enact such legislation in his territories. Spanish authorities and colonists were subject to the rule of the Spanish monarchy, which included obeying the laws it promulgated.

3. Prevention of Abuse: The laws aimed to prevent the widespread abuses committed under the encomienda system—the forced labor system applied to indigenous peoples. By accepting these laws, the Spanish would demonstrate a commitment to rectifying the exploitation inherent in the encomienda system.

4. Social Stability: The introduction of the New Laws intended to create a more stable and just society within the colonies. Ensuring the fair treatment of indigenous populations was thought to promote peace and prevent uprisings, which benefited both the colonists and the Crown.

5. Economic Sustainability: While the initial impact of the New Laws might have been seen as economically detrimental to some landowners who relied on forced labor, in the long term, creating a labor system where workers are treated fairly could lead to a more sustainable economy. This, in principle, would benefit both indigenous peoples and the Spanish economy.

6. Religious Reasons: The Catholic Church, which played a critical role in Spanish society and had significant influence over the monarchy, supported measures to protect the indigenous peoples, whom they were also trying to convert to Christianity. Ethical treatment was viewed as consistent with Christian values