Question

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Explanation:

Spanish colonial law in the mid-1500s (like the New Laws) formally banned the forced labor of Indigenous peoples, while allowing enslavement and forced labor of Africans. In practice, both groups faced severe mistreatment and exploitation by colonists, even with the legal distinction. Option A is incorrect because Indigenous peoples were not treated with near equal respect to Europeans. Option C is wrong as free Africans were not afforded that level of respect. Option D is incorrect because the laws did allow forced labor of Africans, and Indigenous peoples generally could not easily improve their social status.

Answer:

B. Laws passed in the mid-1500s allowed Africans but not indigenous peoples to be forced into labor, though in practice both groups continued to be treated poorly by Spanish colonists.