jan 9, 1530 - Encomienda Key Concept 1.2,III

Description:

The encomienda was the Spanish labor system for POWs or slaves. It was also when the Spanish monarchy saw the success of the conquistadors and provided them with land and Indians. The Indians were dying off because of European illnesses and their immune system could not battle off the foreign diseases. Then the conquistadors were to convert the labors to Christianity. Some of the natives would refuse the new leadership and the religion, and for that reason many natives were killed. The horrors that the Spanish would inflict upon the slaves would be abashed by Bartalome de las Casas.