More often than not, most governments tend to simply issue statements of grief or regret rather than outright apologies to avoid further questions about issues like reparations as well as political backlash.
Daniel Goldstroke, Latin America Reports and EU Reports
Source: Source: latinamericareports.com
King Felipe VI of Spain spoke publicly about the country's colonial past during a visit to Madrid's Archaeology Museum in mid-March, a landmark moment of recognition by the Spanish crown.
The king visited an exhibition in the museum called n «Half the World: Women in Indian Mexico» Together with the Ambassador of Mexico to Spain Kirino Ordas Koppel.
During the visit, the monarch recognized «abuse» and «ethical contradictions»It took place in the 1500s as part of Spain’s conquest of the Aztec Empire (present-day Mexico) and subsequent colonization of much of the rest of America.
This remains the subject of sharp disagreements on both sides of the political spectrum, both in Spain and in America. While some have argued that the conquest of the region by Spain was a civilizing mission, others point out that it entailed the deaths of 80 to 90 percent of the indigenous population of Central and South America. — either directly as a result of the Spanish wars of conquest, or because of slavery and diseases imported by Europeans.
If these data are accurate, it is the largest single event in terms of the number of human casualties in history relative to the population of the world at that time, second in absolute terms only to the number of deaths in World War II.
The Spanish Empire was one of the largest in the world at the time of the conquest of the Americas and continued to rule much of the region for the next three centuries, being a huge source of wealth and prestige for the monarchy.
Vorosh past
This history of colonialism has stirred tensions in recent years, particularly between Spain and Mexico, with the Mexican government repeatedly calling on Spain to make an official apology.
In 2019, then-Mexico President Andres Manuel López Obrador sent letters to the King of Spain and the Pope calling for formal and public recognition of the historical abuses committed during the conquest. However, there was never an apology. Instead, the Spanish government declared that events that occurred 500 years ago, «We cannot judge modern ideas.».
Source: World History Encyclopedia
In response, current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo decided not to invite King Felipe to her inauguration in 2024, citing a lack of official apology from the Spanish monarchy. It angered the Spanish government: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the move «unacceptable».
Spain has since made attempts to rectify the situation, and now the country's colonial past is gaining some recognition.
At the end of last year, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez publicly acknowledged the «pain and injustice»It was the experience of the indigenous people of Mexico during a visit to the same exhibition in Madrid.
«The common history of Spain and Mexico, as well as the entire history of mankind, has its light and dark sides.». — Albarez said. — «There was injustice, and it was right. — admit it and regret it. This is part of our shared history; we cannot deny it or forget it.».
King Felipe repeated this line during his visit earlier this month. — This was a rare recognition from the Crown.
The king claimed that past monarchs had acted. «intently»He acknowledged that this intention may not have been implemented. «as intended»and which also took place «very serious abuse».
«There are aspects of our past that, viewed through the prism of modern values, cannot make us proud.». — acknowledged the king.
«However, it is important to evaluate these events in their historical context, using objective and rigorous analysis, rather than excessive moral presentism.».
Too little, too late?
How much these statements will help improve relations between Spain and Mexico, time will tell.
Comments made by both King Felipe and Minister Albarez were welcomed by Mexico: Sheinbaum said «closeness» from the monarch. She had previously expressed her congratulations to Albarez for what she called the «first step».
«Forgiveness elevates nations». — Sheinbaum said earlier. — «It's not humiliating, on the contrary. Acknowledge history, acknowledge grievances, ask for forgiveness — lament — And accepting it as part of history elevates governments.».
However, Felipe’s statement still falls short of an official apology for Spain’s actions during its imperial past. «That's not all we want.». — Sheinbaum said in response to the king's speech, — «but it's a step».
«You could say that's not all we wanted, but it's a gesture of reconciliation on the part of the king in what we talked about: acknowledging the excesses, the exterminations that took place during the arrival of the Spaniards.». — The Mexican president added.
«That won't be enough.». — According to historian Umberto Beck of Colegio de México, this will only be accepted. «As a substitute for a formal apology n».
«Linking the relationship between the two countries to this apology was a mistake by the Mexican government that distracts from the deeper problems of reflection, the ongoing process of remembrance and recognition on the part of both societies.». — He told the newspaper El Pais.
General trend
This evasion of Spain’s apology largely reflects how most countries deal with such demands.
Earlier this month in Britain, for example, dozens of MPs also called on the government to make a formal apology for its past involvement in the occupation of Palestine (from 1918 to 1948).
Campaign group «Britain Owes Palestine» She had previously filed a 400-page petition demanding an apology for alleged war crimes committed by Britain at the time. Liberal Democrat MP Leila Moran, the first British MP of Palestinian descent, said:
«The consequences of these actions have deeply shaped the conflict we see today, but successive governments have refused to acknowledge it or offer formal apologies. If the UK is serious about promoting peace in Gaza today, it must begin by confronting its historic role, acknowledging the harm done and taking meaningful responsibility for it.».
There has been no apology from the UK government, with its Foreign Office saying it does not normally comment on such petitions.
Since 1998, countries such as Australia have held annual «National Apology Day»While acknowledging abuses against Aboriginal people, such cases remain relatively rare.
Such apology is usually offered only when countries feel compelled to do so. — In cases where the political response would be stronger, says Boston University professor Thomas Berger.
«Apologies don't come cheap. It's not just when your leader says it. «I'm sorry.»This entails a range of measures, including compensation, educational policies, commemoration policies, how to remember the past in museums, cultural sites, through holidays and events.». — He claimed.
As a rule, such an apology was issued only in cases where there was a significant movement within the country to do so. — Like the Aboriginal people in Australia. — or when it was essential to restore normal working relations with the other countries concerned.
This was typical of Germany after World War II, Berger said, adding that it was a country that was not in the first place. «There was a lot of pressure, economic, political, geostrategic, to be sensitive to the views of victims, especially in democracies. — France, Holland, Italy and Israel».
The same may have been true for Italy when it apologized to Libya in 2008, while in the process of signing a key deal with the Gaddafi regime on trade and migration.
Britain also apologized to Ireland for the Great Famine ahead of the Belfast Agreement, though it ignored similar requests for apology from South Africa.
A controversial legacy
More often than not, most governments tend to simply issue statements of grief or regret rather than outright apologies to avoid further questions about issues like reparations as well as political backlash.
The ambiguous reaction to the Spanish king’s statement is an example. While some leftists welcomed the King's comments — Integration Minister Elma Sais Delgado backs King's words — Others on the right expressed anger, especially those who continue to defend Spain's colonial heritage.
Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), said: «analyze in the twenty-first century what happened in the fifteenth century, — This is crazy.».
He added that Spaniards should be proud of their history, emphasizing the positive aspects of the empire. — along with the negatives.
«Spain’s arrival in the Americas led to the creation of an exceptional linguistic and cultural community. The actions of Spain at the time of the conquest can be compared with those of any other empire of that period.».
The far-right VOX party has gone even further in defending Spain's actions by proclaiming a conquest. «The Greatest Work of Evangelization and Civilization in World History».
Source: World History Encyclopedia
VOX MEP Herman Tercz expressed surprise that the king sided with those who «Who only seeks to harm and discredit Spanish history?».
This was emphasized by the British historian Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, a professor at the University of Notre Dame.
«I am glad that the King has not offered an apology in a firm and unequivocal manner.». — Fernandez-Armesto told EU Reports.
«Apologizing for things that are not your responsibility is pointless. When popes or politicians do, you can be sure they are covering up their own misdeeds. The king said that moral judgments about the past should be free from presentism: this is true, and people of the past should not be blamed for being themselves or meeting the standards of their time.».
«There has never been a state free from abuse. Spaniards in general and Spain in general have every reason to be proud of the period when most of America was part of the Spanish monarchy.». — The scientist added.
«I do not hear Ms. Scheinbaum apologise for the massacre of indigenous people in modern, independent Mexico. The whole enterprise of a global monarchy like Spain has been marked by failure: it is a cause for regret, but not a remedy. Stories. — Yeah, sorry. — no».
