Excerpts: The Spanish Colonial Encomienda System

History Documentaries

The Spanish Encomienda was a system of compulsory servitude imposed upon conquered non-Christians. It had its parallels in the taxation and servitude imposed upon Christians during the Moorish conquests of Spain, and was considered a legitimate form of tribute extraction from subjugated people. Spain would go on to inflict unimaginable suffering on indigenous peoples of the New World, until two champions, Dominican monks by the name of Bartolome de las Casas and Antonio de Montesinos stood up for the human rights of indigenous people throughout America. You can view the entire video of Las Casas here:

Credit Heroes and Legends Documentary Channel