"To avoid the confusion and disorder that arises from the mixing of different lineages, we decree that no mestizo, mulato, or person of mixed blood shall live in the Indian towns or villages, nor shall they hold office in those communities. Those of mixed blood, though often freed from the personal tribute paid by the Indians, are prone to wander idle and lead the Indians astray from their duties. The governors must ensure that these populations are registered, reside in Spanish towns, and are put to work on the haciendas, in the mines, or in public works under the supervision of Spanish masters."
—Ordinance of the Viceroy of New Spain, c. 1590
Which of the following statements best explains how the colonial system described in the excerpt functioned to reinforce Spanish rule?
- AThe transition of the encomienda system from a system of coerced labor and tribute to a simple model of land ownership that abolished social caste distinctions.
- BThe merging of distinct indigenous cultures into a single, homogenous cultural identity that successfully resisted the imposition of Spanish legal structures.
- The establishment of a legal hierarchy that tied ancestry to specific economic and labor duties, thereby structuring colonial society to favor Spanish elites while managing demographic shifts.Answer
- DThe Spanish colonial administration’s creation of a uniform tax code applied equally to all subjects to phase out the tribute obligations of the encomienda system.