Information AboutEncomienda |
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However, fine distinctions were not easily enforced over great distances; the ''encomenderos'' ruthlessly exploited the people already living there. They used their influence and power as ''encomenderos'' and land owners of the Plantation s that existed side-by-side with the ''encomiendas'' to seize more lands from the natives, increase taxes, and ultimately force the natives into Slavery . They reasoned that riches were wasted on pagans and more properly bestowed upon Christian subjects of the Spanish king. Bernal Diaz concisely summarized his motives as "to serve God and His Majesty, to give light to those who were in darkness, and to grow rich, as all men desire to do." The conquistadors regarded plunder, slaves, and tribute as the just deserts for men who forced pagans to accept Christianity and Spanish rule. After all, the conquistadors scrupulously adhered to the Spanish law of conquest by reading the ''requerimiento'', which ordered defiant Indians immediately to accept Spanish rule and Christian conversion. If the Indians ignored this order, they deserved the harsh punishments of a “just war.” This exploitation of the indigenous natives and the other negative influences of the European presence of ''encomenderos'' were some of the factors that led to the breakdown of the entire '' Encomienda '' system. The downfall of the ''encomienda'' system began when Blasco Núñez Vela , the first Viceroy Of Peru , tried to enforce the New Laws . Many of the ''encomenderos'' were unwilling to comply with the New Laws and soon revolted against Vela. Eventually, under pressure of the Roman Catholic Church , a modification of the encomienda system was created, called the Repartimiento . Other problems of the ''encomienda'' system in Peru occurred due to the breaking up of extended families, or Ayllu s, which brought an end to their economic system of Vertical Exchanges . Not only this impaired the ''encomienda'' system, but so also did the epidemic diseases brought to America by the Europeans. These diseases, such as the Plague and Smallpox , killed a large percentage of the indigenous population because they had no natural defenses against them. The ''encomienda'' system was essential to the Spanish government sustaining their control over North , Central and South America , because it was the first major organizational law instituted on a continent where disease, war and turmoil reigned. The etymology of ''encomienda'' and ''encomendero'' lies in the Spanish verb ''encomendar'', "to entrust". See also
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