THE ENCOMIENDA AND INDIGENOUS RESPONSES

I. Introduction: From Conquest to Colonization

A. Crown Goals: economic, spiritual, political/administrative
B. Different interest groups: Crown, conquerors/settlers, Native Americans (elite/commoner)

II. What is the encomienda? (in class analysis of document)

A. What are the requirements to become an encomendero (and the responsibilities once granted an encomienda)?

Requirements:

-To be an hidalgo

*Because there were very few elites that left Spain for the Americas, most of the Spaniards arriving in the Americas are neither from the lowest nor the highest sectors of society.

-To provide services to the crown

--And, for the most part, with your own resources

Responsibilities:

-To try to convert the native population

-To make productive use of the land

-To treat the natives well

2. What does the encomendero get in return?

-Barter goods

-The things that the native population give you

*Essentially this becomes a form of tribute

-Lordship over town with chiefs and natives

-Use of “them” in farms, mines, etc. for the purpose of labor

-Time Period? At the pleasure of majesties.

*This is an important clause of this contract, which says that the crown can take away the encomienda if the crown feels that the encomendero is not fulfilling his responsibilities.

-No land

*The implication is that the crown owns the land in the Americas and decides how and whether or not to allocate it.

III. Encomienda in practice

A. Caribbean origins

1. Problems: demographic crisis, social structures
2 . Critics: Montesinos
3 . Laws of Burgos (1512) regulations

B. Mainland Success (Mexico and Peru)

1. Built on existing social structures
2. Provided subsidy to economy: labor, inputs, capital
3. Success for whom? Elite of about 5% of Spaniards (600 in New Spain, 500 in Peru)

IV. Native Responses (completed October 13, 2009)

A. Spanish encomenderos dependent upon cooperation of Indigenous leaders (combination of coercion and reward)

1. Kurakas in Andes know resources and labor practices (e.g. Don Melchior Caruarayco)
2. Silk production in Mexico, profits to both encomendero and indigenous community
3. Paraguay: encomienda adapted to Guarani society: polygamy and kin of wives provide labor

a. frontier even more backwater than Yucatan
b. alliances with Guarani led to racial and cultural mixing

B. Crisis

1. demographic squeeze: fewer laborers to meet demands
2. kinds of demands changed (e.g. sent to work in mines)
3. deepening of colonial relationships with chiefs (from cooperation to subordination)

C. Resistance

1. Mexico: Natives stop producing silk, destroyed trees
2. Peru: Taqui Onqoy, 1560s (see Andrien, 168-71), aimed at Spaniards and collaborating kurakas
3. Paraguay: Guarani “wives” and mestizo sons prevent rebellion; few resources over which to fight

 

V. Conclusions: what next?

ID Terms:

• hidalgos
• encomienda
• encomendero
• Laws of Burgos (1512)
• kuraka

Questions:

What are the requirements to become an encomendero (and the responsibilities once granted an encomienda)?

What does the encomendero get in return?

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Last updated October 9, 2009
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