SPANISH SETTLEMENT

CONTINUED…
 WHAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE
DEMISE OF THE TAINO?
• The encomienda system provided the framework within which the destruction of the
Indians took place.

• Families were displaced under this system because the Spanish took Taino families
from place to place

• Conuco (small plot of family-cultivated land) crop production was devasted

• Females were exploited sexually

• Wars of resistance and revolt

• Suicides by the natives

As a result of these occurrences, families were unable to support

themselves thus leading to and increased death rate and lower birth rate.
 NOTE
• It is important to note that though there were priests and clergy on
Hispaniola, they did nothing to assist or even prevent the demise of the
Taino. This is because they supported the interests of the encomenderos
class. They did not give accurate reports to the Crown about the
enslavement of the Indians and their quickly declining population.
 DOMINICAN FRIARS & THE
ENCOMIENDA
• In 1510, a group of Dominican Friars arrived on Hispaniola and were in
total awe as to the treatment that was being meted out to Indian
population. They made it know to the Crown almost immediately the
fact that the Taino were being:
❑ Enslaved
❑ ill-fed
❑ overworked
❑ could not increase their population naturally
Because the Friars were in total disagreement of the treatment the Tainos

were receiving, they decided to protest against the Encomienda system. As

a result, these Friars pleaded to the king and successfully got him to pass

laws to protect the Taino.

 THE LAWS OF BURGOS
• Established in 1512 (December 27th)
• Issued by: King Ferdinand II
• Reasons for the laws:
1. To regulate the relations between the Spanish settlers and the
native Tainos

2. To limit the hours of labour

3. keep children under 14 out of the mines

4. To keep families together and ensure the encomenderos took care of
the social welfare of the Indians

5. Ensure the spiritual conversion to Catholicism and material welfare

of the Indians
 FAILURE OF THE LAWS
• The laws achieved little – it more or less endorsed the system
(encomienda)
• The conditions of the Taino continued to worsen spiritually and
materially

NOTE: The laws failed all together because many encomenderos failed to
institute them.