The Encomienda System
The Encominda system, was a labor system created by the spanish after the Reconquista, which originally gave tracts of land and Spanish-Muslim slaves(if not in name, but in essence) to the conquerors. Ths was adapted to incorporate the Native Americans instead, when it was brought to the modern day Mexico region.
Over the period of time, the Encomineda system was used more to require tribute other than labor. Places led by native leadership were required to give a large portion of their agricultural produce as tribute. Also, over time the populations experienced racial mixing and creation of divides within the populations. The Mexican region experienced the introduction of Mestizas and the growing divide between the the Creoles(American-Born Spaniards) and the Peninsulares(Spani-Born Spaniards). Overall, most native labor was used by the Haciendas (or Estates) which led to a similiar system in the future, known as the Hacienda System.
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