Final answer:
The encomienda system was a system of forced labor imposed by the Spanish crown, where grants of land and the indigenous people were given to Spanish conquerors. The indigenous people were compelled to work for their Spanish overlords, although they could not be enslaved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The encomienda system was a system implemented by the Spanish crown in which grants of land and the indigenous people living on them were given to Spanish conquerors in exchange for their services during the conquest. The indigenous people on the granted land were compelled to work for their Spanish overlords, although they could not be enslaved. This system of forced labor was used for about 100 years after the conquest.
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