AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: The Encomienda System (Day 11/309)

Welcome to day 11 of APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Today I will be explaining the Encomienda System.

Spanish Conquest and Exploration in North America in the 16th Century World History Encyclopedia

After the Spanish violently defeated various indigenous civilizations, they began to set up their empire across the Americas. To assert dominance and efficiently extract wealth, the Crown established the encomienda system.

The encomienda system was a Spanish forced labor system in which the Spanish received land and indigenous labor in exchange for the protection and Christian conversion of American Indians.

Encomienda Americana Freeman-Pedia

This exploitative system led to widespread abuses, as indigenous people faced harsh conditions, enslavement, and loss of their traditional lands. Most labored in mines or on plantations or ranches.

The Encomienda System Vanderbilt.edu

There was significant loss of life for American Indians due to overwork, starvation, and violence. Conversion to Christianity was involuntary and led to cultural suppression and loss of life when resisted. 

While the encomienda system was portrayed as “mutually beneficial” relationship between the Spanish and American Indians, its impacts were devastating.

Join me tomorrow as I explain another labor system used by the Spanish: African Slavery in our next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!