On January 14, 1514, Pope Leo X issued a papal bull against slavery. On the same date in 1639, the first written constitution to create a government, the “Fundamental Orders,” was adopted in Connecticut.
Categories
Against Slavery
1 reply on “Against Slavery”
Pope Leo X did not “issue a papal bull against slavery” in 1514. He reaffirmed prior authorizations of slavery as part of “crusading.” The Turks were on the march, and the Portuguese were greedy for African slaves. The popes facilitated it.
Did they turn against slavery before Wilberforce? Or the Quakers? Or was it after the queen of Brazil yielded to pragmatism?