The Destruction and Transformation of Indigenous Societies Different responses to invasion of land and transformation of societies Severe decline

of population o Caribbean islands, 1540 indigenous population disappeared because of slaving, mistreatment, and disease. o Peru loss from 10 M to 1.5 M between 1530 and 1590 o Elsewhere in the Americas similar, but less documented things took place (Smallpox, influenza and measles -> havoc on American Indian population) o Central Mexico, war, destruction, and disease brought population down from 25 M 1519 to less than 2 million 1580 Rapid increase in European livestock that flourished on Spanish farms o Livestock were replacing indigenous people on land (Conquerers equated the two??) Conquest and weakening of indigenous societies contributed to losses o Declines disrupted native societies Example: In central Mexo, the contraction of indigenous pops. Led the spnaish to concentrate remaining population in fewer towns, and this led to seizure of former communal farming lands by Spanish landowners.

Demographic collapse made maintaining traditional social and economic structures very difficult. Exploitation of Indians Spanish did not openly conflict w/ aspects of Native American life that served colonial goals 16th century enslaving Indians prohibited. Instead, different forms of labor or taxation were imposed. New demands were random and often great; one-sided Pro: The Spanish Crown was Greedy, so they imposed limitations to the exploitations Encomiendas were gone by 1620s. Colonial govt increasingly extracted labor and taxes from native peoples o Communites required to send groups of laborers to work on state projects, such as church construction or road building. Forced building: mita o 1000s workers for mining, wage, but abused. o Native people started leaving their homes to work for employment in the cities. -> led to growth of wage labor system in which native people worked for wages on Spanishowned mines/farms/in cities. Great resiliency o Leaded Spanish legal system and law courts -> litigation way of life o Some parts didnt change: selective in adaptation of Euro foods, techs, and culture.

Colonial Economies and Govts

Even though 80% worked on land, mining was essential activity and basis of Spains rule. Silver formed the basis for Spains wealth in the Americas. Silver Heart of Empire Great silver mining towns developed (major silver discoveries in Mexico and Peru 1545-1565. Potosi (Peru) largest mine of all 80% Peruvian silver; 17th century 160,000 lived and worked in the town and its mine. Labor drafts to work