For nearly five centuries, the image of Spain in relation to the conquest of America has been marked by a dark narrative, filled with stereotypes and simplistic judgments that make up what we know today as the Black Legend . This myth, born at the crossroads of political, religious, and economic rivalries, has shaped the perception of a complex past for generations, often portraying it in terms of barbarism, fanaticism, and unqualified oppression. However, history-that rigorous discipline that seeks to understand the past with its contradictions and contexts-reveals a much richer and more diverse panorama. The Spanish presence in America was not merely an enterprise of destruction, but a historical process with its ups and downs, advances and errors, cruelties and cultural conquests. Ignoring this complexity is tantamount to repeating a simplification that does justice to neither the victims nor the actors of the time. This book aims to unravel the origin and evolution of the Black Legend, placing it in its historical context and analyzing its mechanisms of dissemination and lasting consequences. But it also aims to go further: it seeks to offer a balanced perspective that recognizes the facts, values the Hispanic legacy, and contributes to overcoming inherited prejudices. This isn't about idealizing the past or denying the mistakes made, but rather about constructing a critical, informed, and pluralistic narrative that allows us to understand the conquest and colonization in all its complexity. Because only with this deep understanding is it possible to break with myths and move toward a shared and dignified memory. In a world where cultural identities and historical discourses remain a source of conflict, studying and reflecting on the Black Legend is not merely an academic exercise, but a necessary act of justice and recognition. I invite the reader to join me on this journey through history, to question what has been learned, and to discover a legacy that, despite its shadows, lives on and is essential to understanding not only the past, but also the present and future of the Hispanic world.