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Doctrine of Discovery
The Doctrine of Discovery, originating in the 15th and 16th centuries, allowed European nations to claim and colonize lands outside Europe based on papal bulls and other declarations.
| Doctrine | Justification | Imposition | Claim | Sovereignty |
| Doctrine | Justified the conquest of non-Christian lands, peoples, and nations | Allowed European nations to impose Christianity on non-Christian populations | Gave European nations the right to claim resources from non-Christian lands | Established the basis of sovereignty for settler nations like the United States and Canada |
How it impacted Indigenous peoples
- The doctrine overlooked the presence of existing nations inhabiting the land.
- It facilitated the legal, political, and economic displacement of Indigenous peoples.
- It institutionalized racism into the founding principles of the United States.
Current impact
The doctrine affects Indigenous peoples globally and is referenced in American Imperialism and the treatment of Indigenous people.
