The encomienda system was a labor system established by the Spanish crown during the colonization of the Americas. It granted Spanish settlers, known as encomenderos, the right to demand tribute and forced labor from the indigenous people in a specific area. In return, the encomenderos were expected to provide protection and religious instruction to the indigenous population. This system was intended to facilitate the Spanish colonization and economic exploitation of the New World. However, it often led to severe abuses and exploitation of the indigenous people, contributing to significant population declines due to harsh working conditions and diseases brought by the Europeans.