The Encomienda System

Encomienda System

Social class system

Based on blood and place of

birth
Required allegiance to Spain
Reasons for Encomienda System
expand to New

Allowed Spain to
World
Gave Spain control without $

or
troops
Plan vs. Reality of Encomienda System
rebellion
living,

Plan: Reduce chance of

Treat labor fairly
Provide shelter, food,
supplies
Provide protection
Convert to Christianity
Reality: labor abuse,

mistreatment
No protection
Natives die from
disease
Harsh living conditions
Peninsulares
from Spain
Haciendas

Spanish born, parents

Estates given to Peninsulares
Used to grow crops, raise

livestock
Criollos (Creoles)

2nd class
Pure Spanish blood
Born in New Spain ( Mexico)

Mestizo (lower class)

Child of Spanish & Native

Forbidden love
Above non-pure blood
Working class

Mulatto

Mestizos & African slave

Higher than slave

Classes/rights in Encomienda System

large estates
Only to hold high
public office

Peninsulares: Given

Criollos: Could not hold high

office
Not given haciendas
Inherit them from
parents
Mestizos: Forbidden love
Above non-pure blood
Working class
Mulattos: Rarely mixed
Effects of Encomienda System
mistreated

Many people were

Many died
Helped Spain in expansion

Decline of Encomienda System

Criollos less
Spain

2nd and 3rd generation

loyal to
Priest didnt like

mistreatment
Lower class wanted rights
Lower class wanted to hold
office