European Colonization Motives · US History

The Spanish 'Encomienda' system was primarily designed to:

  1. Establish a democratic government in the New World
  2. Organize and exploit Native American labor for agriculture and mining
  3. Promote peaceful trade between Spanish settlers and Native American communities
  4. Encourage the migration of Spanish peasants to the Americas
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Correct answer: Organize and exploit Native American labor for agriculture and mining

Under this system, the Spanish crown granted colonists the right to demand tribute and forced labor from Native Americans. In exchange, the 'encomenderos' were theoretically supposed to provide protection and instruction in the Catholic faith.

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