In 3 to 5 sentences, analyze a characteristic of Spanish or Portuguese colonial rule. determine if it would be considered a strength or weakness of colonial rule, and explain why.
One characteristic of Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule was the implementation of the encomienda system, where indigenous people were forced to work on plantations or in mines for Spanish and Portuguese landowners. This system can be considered a weakness of colonial rule because it resulted in the exploitation and mistreatment of indigenous populations, leading to high rates of abuse and disease. Additionally, the encomienda system disrupted traditional indigenous societal structures and economies, causing long-term damage to communities. Overall, the encomienda system served to benefit the colonizers at the expense of the indigenous populations, making it a clear weakness of colonial rule.
