Final answer:
The encomienda system was a failure because Native Americans were often abused instead of being protected by settlers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The encomienda system was a failure primarily because Native Americans were often abused instead of being protected by the settlers. The encomienda system was a labor system in which Spanish colonizers granted land and Native American labor to individual colonizers. However, many colonizers exploited their power and forced the Native Americans into harsh and inhumane conditions, leading to their mistreatment and abuse.
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