What was the Encomienda system?

The Encomienda system was primarily a labor system established during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Under this system, Spanish colonists were granted the right to demand labor from indigenous people in exchange for supposed protection and religious instruction. The encomenderos, or landholders, were responsible for the welfare of the indigenous people, but many failed to provide adequate care and instead exploited them for labor in harsh conditions. This system reflected the broader patterns of exploitation and resource extraction that characterized European colonial endeavors and had significant impacts on the indigenous populations, leading to a decline in their numbers due to overwork and diseases introduced by Europeans.

Other options do not accurately describe the Encomienda system. While it wasn't about granting land to Native Americans, forcing labor was central to the system. Taxes imposed on Spanish colonies refer to a different aspect of colonial administration, and religious missions, although they were part of Spanish efforts, do not capture the labor exploitation aspect of the Encomienda. Thus, recognizing the role of demands for labor makes it clear why the identification of the Encomienda system as a labor system is the correct choice.