Answer: The Encomienda system was a labor system implemented by the Spanish crown in their colonies in the Americas. The Encomienda system allowed the Spanish crown to reward certain individuals with a specified number of native laborers. These laborers were supposed to work for their encomendero (a person given the right to exact labor from Native Americans in return for providing religious and cultural instruction) in exchange for the Spanish crown's protection and for receiving religious instruction.The Spanish crown instituted this system as a way of ensuring a steady labor supply to support their newly acquired lands, as well as to encourage conversion to Christianity among the native peoples. However, the Encomienda system was soon abused, with many encomenderos treating their laborers cruelly and forcing them to work long hours without adequate food or shelter. This system was finally abolished in the 18th century.
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