9781422279809

Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast of Cuba during his first voyage to the Americas in 1492, and landed at several places on the island during his second voyage two years later. There he encountered the Taíno people, a Native American tribe that lived on islands throughout the Caribbean.

was known as the encomienda system, the Spanish crown essentially granted certain Spaniards (called encomenderos ) the right to exact tribute—in the form of goods or labor—from the Native Americans in a specified area. In return, the holder of the grant was supposed to protect the Native Americans and to instruct them in the Christian faith. In practice, the encomien- da system amounted to little more than slavery.

A Unique Mix 9