Encomienda. Codice Osuna, Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid. |
4 of 7 The Encounter |
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SOCIAL CHANGES ndigenous rulers were killed or lost their privileged status. The encomienda, hacienda, and mining labor systems, which exacted labor from the Indians were cruel and oppressive. Most Indians were reduced to serfdom under Spanish rule. The Spanish crown, however, attempted to curtail abuses by making laws that declared Indians free citizens who could not be enslaved. |