The person (encomendero) granted a charter called an encomienda by the Spanish crown could require tribute (repartimiento) from the Indians and was required to protect them and instruct them in the Christian faith. Although encomiendas did not include land, in practice encomenderos took control of Indians’ lands and forced them into low or unpaid labor for a portion of each year. Because of such abuses, the Spanish government attempted reform at various times. “Pizarro and the Incas,” Exploring the Early Americas
Library of Congress
Based on the text, what was the role of the encomienda system in the Spanish colonies of the Americas?