# Doctrine of Discovery — WHE Definition Discussion

**URL:** <https://community.worldhistory.org/t/doctrine-of-discovery-whe-definition-discussion/15794>\
**Category:** WHE Articles\
**Created:** [October 11, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/doctrine-of-discovery-whe-definition-discussion/15794 "2023-10-11T16:00:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JPryst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/jpryst/32/168_2.png) [@JPryst](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/JPryst)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/doctrine-of-discovery-whe-definition-discussion/15794/1 "2023-10-11T16:00:01Z")

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The Doctrine of Discovery is a policy enacted initially by the 15th-century Catholic Church proclaiming the right of Christian nations to take possession of the lands of non-Christians in the interest of saving their souls. Non-Christians were not recognized as legitimate landowners, and any lands 'discovered' by Christian explorers were claimed as the property of the discoverers' nation.

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_This is a companion discussion topic for the original content at [https://www.worldhistory.org/Doctrine\_of\_Discovery/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Doctrine_of_Discovery/)._

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**Author:** ![JPryst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/jpryst/32/168_2.png) [@JPryst](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/JPryst)\
**Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 8:33am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/doctrine-of-discovery-whe-definition-discussion/15794/2 "2026-07-30T08:33:52Z")

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Unlisted on July 30, 2026, 8:33am UTC