Spanish colonial system

The Spanish colonial system was a method of governing and exploiting territories in the Americas from the 16th to 19th centuries. It was structured around a hierarchical hierarchy centered on Spain, with viceroys and officials overseeing land and resources. Indigenous populations were often subjected to forced labor and cultural suppression under systems like the encomienda and repartimiento. Wealth generated from agriculture, mining, and trade flowed back to Spain, shaping social and economic structures. The system aimed to expand Spanish influence, convert indigenous peoples to Christianity, and extract resources, leaving a lasting impact on the cultures, populations, and borders of the Americas.