What was the encomienda system?

The encomienda system was a form of forced and unpaid labour used by Spanish authorities and settlers in the colonies of the Spanish Empire. In return, the labourers were given military protection and the opportunity to be converted to Christianity.

What was the purpose of the encomienda system?

The purpose of the encomienda system in the Spanish Empire was to provide an incentive for conquistadors to conquer new territories and to provide free labour to extract wealth from the colonies. For the Catholic Church, the system permitted indigenous peoples to be exposed to Christianity.

Was the encomienda system slavery?

The encomienda system in Spanish colonial America was a system of forced and unpaid labour but was not slavery since the labourers could not be bought and sold to a third party. In practical terms, though, there was little difference.

Encomienda

Definition

The encomienda was a system where Spanish adventurers and settlers were granted the legal right to extract forced labour from indigenous tribal chiefs in the Americas colonies of the Spanish Empire. In return, the Europeans were expected to give military protection to the labourers and offer them the opportunity to be converted to Christianity by funding a parish priest.

More about: Encomienda

Timeline

1502
The encomienda system is first applied to the Americas on the island of Hispaniola.
1503
The use of the system of encomienda in the Spanish Empire receives approval from the Spanish monarchy.
1512
The Laws of Burgos set out how indigenous peoples should be treated within the Spanish Empire.
1522
Bartolomé de Las Casas writes a graphic description of the Spanish colonial encomienda system in his "A Very Brief Recital of the Destruction of the Indies".
1542
The New Laws unsuccessfully attempt to reduce the application of the encomienda system in the Spanish Empire.
1573
Philip II of Spain prohibits the application of the encomienda system in any new territories of the Spanish Empire.
c. 1700
The encomienda system goes into decline in most parts of the Spanish Empire.

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