THE ENCOMIENDA AND REPARTIMIENTO SYSTEM

CARRIBEAN HISTORY
BACKGROUND

 Columbus initially believed that the Indigenous People in their own land to develop agricultural enterprises for the
benefit of the Spanish Crown.
 He later suggested that the indigenous people be enslaved and sent to Spain pointing out that the cost of importing
slaves would be reduced. At that time, slaves were being brought into Spain by the Portuguese who were
capturing slaves from Africa.
 This idea was taken up by the Spanish Governor Bobadilla who began to send indigenous people as slaves back to
Spain. Bobadilla was however replaced by Nicolas de Ovando because of reports about harsh treatment that the
indigenous people were being subjected to.
 Neither Columbus’ idea for enslaving the indigenous people nor Bobadilla’s actions had been sanctioned by the
Spanish Crown.
 Consequently, the Spanish Queen passed a declaration forbidding the sale of the indigenous people on Spanish soil
and demanded an end to their enslavement. She commanded that those captured should return to the West Indies.
 Nevertheless, Nicolas de Ovando was able to convince the Spanish Monarch that it was necessary to enslave the
indigenous people by claiming that they enjoyed excessive liberty and ran away to avoid work. He also considered
them idle and stated that they refused Christianity.
 Queen Isabella responded to these concerns by commanding Governor Ovando to “compel and oblige” the natives
to deal and associate with Christianity and to mine gold, grow food etc for the Christian settlers.
THE ENCOMIENDA SYSTEM

 The Spaniards introduced the encomienda system where each settler was granted a piece of land and groups of
natives worked for them. In return they were to protect the natives and convert them to Christianity. This system
was in response to the treatment the natives previously received.
THE REPARTIMIENTO SYSTEM

 The repartimiento system required Spanish colonists to apply to the Spanish Crown to have groups of indigenous
Americans assigned as laborers for specific periods of time. Although not an exact equivalent to slavery, as the
forced laborers were not considered owned, the conditions in which they worked resembled many aspects of
enslavement and abuse and exploitation of indigenous Americans continued in different forms under the
repartimiento system.
 The repartimiento system provided a source of free labor to Spanish colonists. By requiring indigenous Americans
to farm, mine, and work on public projects like building canals or churches, Spanish colonies were able not only
to sustain themselves, but also to produce enough food and goods to increase trading opportunities and expand the
influence of the Spanish empire.
RESISTANCE

 Unite with neighboring tribes.

 Warfare
 Mass suicide
THE END