Question

why did the spanish government establish the encomienda system in the spanish colonies?○ to grant land to indigenous peoples○ to divide land equally○ to defend the indigenous peoples○ to set up a labor supply

Explanation:

The encomienda system was a colonial labor system where Spanish settlers were granted the right to extract labor from Indigenous peoples in exchange for supposed "protection" and religious instruction. Its core purpose was to secure a forced labor force for Spanish economic activities like mining and agriculture in the colonies. The other options are incorrect: the system did not grant land to Indigenous peoples, did not divide land equally, and did not protect Indigenous groups (instead it exploited them).

Answer:

D. to set up a labor supply