The Encomienda in New Spain

The Encomienda in New Spain explores the historical institution of encomienda, which was a critical feature of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico and the broader Americas. The encomienda system was based on the feudal model, where Spanish conquerors were granted the labor of indigenous peoples in exchange for providing protection and Christian instruction. This book examines how the encomienda evolved from its initial form—often resembling slavery—to a more complex system shaped by legal and religi