2. Origins of the System Forced labor common in Western Europe Forced labor common in Western Europe Means of: Means of: –providing a Spaniard a portion of land –Restricted property rights over a certain # of Indians Became entrenched in South and Central America Became entrenched in South and Central America

3. Religion Spaniards used religion to justify system Spaniards used religion to justify system God’s will to indoctrinate natives God’s will to indoctrinate natives Law of Burgos: any encomendero with more than fifty Natives had to educate one boy in writing and religious doctrine Law of Burgos: any encomendero with more than fifty Natives had to educate one boy in writing and religious doctrine

4. Belief in Incompetence Savage, incompetent people Savage, incompetent people Unable to live a Christian life and conduct money/trade Unable to live a Christian life and conduct money/trade Believed they needed to be clothed, educated, & taught about God Believed they needed to be clothed, educated, & taught about God Otherwise, would ruin New Spain’s economy Otherwise, would ruin New Spain’s economy

5. Responsibility of Encomenderos Ferdinand and Isabella: issued an order Ferdinand and Isabella: issued an order –Forbade mistreatment of the natives –Granted right to persuade (religion) Granted natives for 2-3 years at a time Granted natives for 2-3 years at a time Encomenderos: Encomenderos: –Pay natives for their work –Supply with living provisions

6. Source of Immediate Revenue Conquistadors ignored commands Conquistadors ignored commands Wanted to own land without doing work Wanted to own land without doing work Demanded tribute for provisions Demanded tribute for provisions Worked long hours for little pay Worked long hours for little pay Led to sharp decline in native population Led to sharp decline in native population

7. Social Classes Viceroys: Viceroys: –head of a colony –Appointed by king Peninsulares: Peninsulares: –born in Spain –Only group that could become viceroys

8. Social Classes Continued Creoles: native-born descendants of Spaniards Creoles: native-born descendants of Spaniards Mestizos: mixed Spanish and Native American heritage Mestizos: mixed Spanish and Native American heritage Native Americans: treated as minors under the law Native Americans: treated as minors under the law

9. Social Classes