Encomienda System
What was the encomienda system?
A system where Spanish conquistadores were given control of land and the Native people living there.
What is a repartimiento?
A grant of land given to Spanish conquistadores.
How did the encomienda system affect Native people?
It was a form of slavery that led to the deaths of many Native people.
How did the conquistadores view the encomienda system?
They saw it as a fair reward for their risks in conquering land.
How was the encomienda system similar to slavery?
The Natives were forced to work for free in harsh conditions.
What were Spanish masters supposed to provide in exchange for Native labor?
Protection and education about Christianity.
What were the Natives supposed to give their Spanish masters as "taxes"?
Natural resources or raw materials.
What happened to Native culture under the encomienda system?
Native culture was lost as they were forced to convert to Christianity.
Why didn’t the conquistadores care if Natives died?
They were more interested in getting rich quickly.
What kind of work did the Natives do under the encomienda system?
They worked in fields and mines.
What was the reality of the encomienda system?
It was more like slavery and led to terrible treatment of Native people.
How did the Spanish masters treat the Native workers?
They often made them work too hard and grow crops that were difficult to grow.
What type of work did the Natives have to do under the encomienda system?
They worked in the fields and mines under dangerous conditions.
What did the Spanish conquistadores use Native labor for?
To extract resources like crops and minerals.
What led to the deaths of many Native people under the encomienda system?
Disease and harsh working conditions,
Why did the king of Spain approve the encomienda system, even though he didn't like it?
He needed a way to reward the conquistadores and keep control over the colonies.
What were the Spanish masters supposed to do for the Natives?
Take care of them and make sure they converted to Christianity.
How did the encomienda system disguise slavery?
It claimed to protect and educate Native people but was really about using them for labor.
How did the encomienda system benefit the conquistadores?
It allowed them to become wealthy through free labor and taxes from the Natives.
What replaced Native labor when many of them died?
The Spanish began importing enslaved Africans.
What was the purpose of the encomienda system according to the Spanish?
To protect and educate Native people while using their labor.
Why did the Spanish need a system like the encomienda?
They needed labor to work the land and extract resources.
Why were Native people forced to convert to Christianity?
The Spanish believed that converting Natives to Christianity was part of their mission in the Americas.
What did the conquistadores do when too many Natives died from disease and overwork?
They began bringing enslaved Africans to replace the Natives as laborers.
Why did the Spanish start importing African slaves?
Many Native people had died, and the Spanish needed a new labor force.