Labor
What was the Encomienda system?
A system of forced labor imposed on indigenous workers by Spanish colonists.
What is the transatlantic slave trade?
A system of buying, selling, and transporting African people to the Americas and other parts of the world as slaves.
What was the Caste System?
It was a hierarchical system that was based on race and ethnicity.
Why did the Spaniards "need" the Native Americans?
To work on plantations.
Why was there a demand for slaves in the Americas?
Diminishing Native American populations due to disease.
What was the caste system determine?
It determined the social, economic, and political status of individuals in colonies.
Did the Spanish use African American slaves?
What were the conditions for slaves like when traveling to the Americas?
Bad conditions, chained in the steerage, many deaths, suffocating, no food, sickness, etc.
Who was at the top of the Caste System?
People of pure European ancestry.
Explain a social effect of the Encomienda system.
loss of life, loss of freedom, and cruelty, racism, etc.
What is chattel slavery?
Slaves were considered property of their owners and had no legal rights. They could be bought sold, traded, or inherited like property. They were subject to cruel and inhumane treatment. They worked longs hours under dangerous conditions without pay.
What are Mestizos?
Explain one economic effect of the Encomienda system.
It allowed for a vast accumulation of wealth by the conquistadors and the Spanish crown.
What is the Middle Passage?
The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
What do people think of the Caste System?
It is extremely oppressive and justifies the exploitation and abuse of indigenous people.