Why was the Encomienda system created and implemented?

In the early 16th century, the Spanish crown created the encomienda system in the Americas to subdivide the American Indian workforce to support the development of their mining economy. Encomendero gave workers protection from warring tribes and teachings in the Catholic faith.

How did the Encomienda system work in the Caribbean?

The encomienda system rewarded Spanish conquerors by allowing them to exact both labor and tribute from defeated Moorish populations, while requiring encomenderos to look after the physical and spiritual welfare of their workers.

How did the encomienda system affect the Taino people?

The encomienda system gave the Spanish land with total control over the local population. This was one of the factors that led to the decline of the Taino people in the Caribbean.

How did the encomienda system harm the Native Americans?

How did the encomienda system affect native society? It created a class system where natives were considered inferior to Europeans. It led to the death of several natives in labor revolts and during migrations. This meant that native farmers could only grow crops for food, not for cash.

How did the encomienda system work in America?

The encomienda system had been used in feudal Spain during the reconquest and had survived in some form ever since. In the Americas, the first encomiendas were awarded by Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean. Spanish conquistadors, settlers, priests or colonial officials were given a repartimiento or grant of land.

Where did the word encomienda come from in Spanish?

The word encomienda comes from the Spanish word encomendar, meaning "to entrust". The encomienda system had been used in feudal Spain during the reconquest and had survived in some form ever since. In the Americas, the first encomiendas were awarded by Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean.

The Spanish crown still steadfastly refused to grant encomiendas in perpetuity, but then slowly these lands returned to the crown. Some of the encomenderos managed to secure title deeds to certain lands: unlike encomiendas, these could be passed from one generation to the next.

Why did Spain give encomiendas to the conquistadors?

The Spanish crown reluctantly approved the granting of encomiendas because it needed to reward the conquistadors and establish a system of government in the newly conquered territories, and encomiendas were a quick fix that killed both birds with one stone.