AHC: Make the encomienda last

Alkahest

Banned
What would be required for something similar to the encomienda, the "I can't believe it's not slavery!"-system during the early Spanish colonization of the Americas, to last longer? What would be the effects on the Native American population? Is it possible that tension between Spain and the Spanish colonies over the ethics of de facto slavery could lead to an earlier split between them?

Bonus points if the POD is after 1520, and if the solution is more creative than just killing off Bartolomé de las Casas.
 
More native Indians identify as "mestizos" to get out of the system and intermarry. Oh and more general unrest in the colonies.
 

Alkahest

Banned
It seems highly likely that sooner or later, they will have to switch to African slaves. But I wonder how long they can make do on totally-not-enslaved Native Americans? Hnh. Maybe if it becomes a longer-lasting, public conflict between the Spanish king and the people in the colonies, we will see an earlier Christian abolitionist movement? Or would that be too much to ask for?
 
IMHO is impossible, because the only way to make it a more long term ( ignoring social distress, which is tough "per sai" ) is making the natives much more resistant to European imported diseases, and if you do that, you butterfly Spanish control of America ...
 
Have greater domestic unrest and instability in 16th-century Iberia, perhaps as a result of the Communero revolt escalating into a full-scale, country- against towns civil war. Even if the royalists eventually triumph, Spain might be permanently estranged from its primary American colonies. In OTL, obedezco pero no cumplo was arguably the motto of many imperial cabildos (local councils).
 
Last edited:
Top