Question

letter from king ferdinand and queen isabella of spain to the governor of hispaniola 1503
our desire is that the christians not lack people to work their holdings and to take out what gold there is. it also is our desire that the indians live in community with the christians, because they then will help each other cultivate and settle the island, take out the gold, and bring profit to spain. therefore, we command you, our governor, to compel the indians to associate with the christians. the indians should work on the christians’ building, mine the gold, till the fields, and produce food for the christians. thus the indians shall perform as free people, which they are, and not as slaves. also, see to it that the indians are well treated, with those who become christians better treated than the others. do not consent or allow any person to do them any harm or oppress them.
—king ferdinand and queen isabella, “instructions to commander nicolas de ovando, first governor of hispaniola from king ferdinand and queen isabella of spain,” 1503 new world: a documentary history of the discovery and settlement of latin america to the early 17th century, vol. ii
the letter best describes which of the following historical developments?
select one answer
a the encomienda system.
b the headright system.
c the columbian exchange.
d triangular trade.
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Explanation:

The encomienda system was a Spanish colonial system where the crown granted colonists the right to demand labor or tribute from Indigenous peoples, while also requiring the colonists to Christianize them. The letter describes commanding Indians to work for Christians (mine gold, till fields, produce food) and live in community with Christians, matching the encomienda system. The headright system was about land grants for bringing settlers (not about Indigenous labor/Christianization). The Columbian Exchange was about trade of goods, ideas, etc., between hemispheres. Triangular trade involved trans - Atlantic trade of slaves, goods, etc. So the letter best describes the encomienda system.

Answer:

A. The encomienda system