Spain Governs Its New Colony
Spain Governs Its New Colony is a Grade 5 history skill from California myWorld Interactive, Chapter 3: Settling the Colonies in North America. Students learn how the Spanish king appointed a viceroy to govern New Spain, and how the encomienda system forced American Indians to provide labor on farms and in mines, causing great suffering for indigenous populations.
Key Concepts
The Spanish king needed someone to rule his vast lands in the Americas. He appointed a viceroy to govern the colony of New Spain. This powerful leader made decisions and enforced laws on behalf of the king, who was far away in Spain.
To build wealth, the Spanish created the encomienda system . This system gave Spanish colonists the right to demand labor from American Indians, forcing them to work on farms and in mines. This system was often brutal and led to great suffering for American Indian populations.
Common Questions
What was a viceroy in New Spain?
A viceroy was a powerful leader appointed by the Spanish king to govern New Spain on his behalf. This person made decisions and enforced laws for the vast colony while the king was far away in Spain.
What was the encomienda system?
The encomienda system gave Spanish colonists the right to demand labor from American Indians, forcing them to work on farms and in mines. This system was often brutal and caused great suffering.
How did Spanish governance affect American Indians?
The encomienda system forced American Indians into brutal labor for Spanish colonists, which along with European diseases, devastated indigenous populations throughout New Spain.
What textbook covers Spanish governance for Grade 5?
This topic is covered in California myWorld Interactive, Grade 5, Chapter 3: Settling the Colonies in North America.