The Encomienda System

The Encomienda System was the way the Spanish conquistadors controlled the  Native people. They viewed them as savages and dehumanized them. The Spanish government established this system in the New World. It was a way to oppress and exploit the Native people. The Encomienda System was pretty much like pre slavery. The purpose of this system was to convert Indians to the Catholic faith. the Indians were expected pay tribute to the Spanish Conquistadors in return for protection and religious instruction. The Encomienda system was a total failure because these Spanish were thousands of miles away from Spain and they did whatever they pleased. They oppressed them, abused them, exploited them, mistreated them and so the Indians lost their way freedom and way of life.

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Soon after the Encomienda System came to an end. In 1510 when Dominican missionaries began protesting the way that the Native people were being treated by the Spanish. These people also fought and failed attempts to end the system through the laws of Burgos and the new laws of the Indians.
Source: http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/theconquestofperu/p/Spain-S-American-Colonies-And-The-Encomienda-System.htm