| Date | November 2020 | Marks available | 6 | Reference code | 20N.1.BP.TZ0.7 |
| Level | Both SL and HL | Paper | Paper 1 - first exams 2017 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Compare and contrast | Question number | 7 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Source E Edward Gaylord Bourne, an historian specializing in Latin American history, writing in the academic book Spain in America, 1450–1580 (1904).
The encomienda system deteriorated into a serfdom approaching slavery and was capable of great abuses; but the crown tried to prevent these evils so far as possible. In the code for the Indies prepared in 1542, commonly called the “New Laws”, the future enslavement of the Indians was absolutely prohibited; encomenderos [holders of encomiendas] who had abused their Indians were to lose their possessions; no new encomiendas were to be granted, and existing ones were to end on the death of the holder.
In securing this legislation, Bartolomé de las Casas had been largely influential, but the practical difficulties of its execution proved overwhelming. The problem was not an easy one. A kingdom had been gained by the heroism and sacrifices of private adventurers: how were they to be rewarded and their families supported? That they should have great estates with a numerous body of serfs and live like nobles in Europe seemed a practical solution to the difficulty. On the other hand, the Spanish crown strongly disapproved of the wasting [misuse] of the population that had taken place. The Indian legislation of the Spanish kings is an impressive monument of good intentions.
[Source: Bourne, E.G., 1904. Spain in America, 1450–1580. New York: Harper and Brothers, p. 255.]
Source F Benjamin Keen, an historian specializing in colonial Latin America, writing an introduction to Life and Labor in Ancient Mexico: The Brief and Summary Relation of the Lords of New Spain (1963).
The conquistadores had visions of limitless wealth to be obtained through silver mines, sugar and cacao plantations. The intensity of exploitation of Indian labor became intolerable.
The Crown faced a problem of balancing the demand of the colonists for cheap Indian labor with its own interest in preserving a large tribute-paying Indian population. There was a political issue as well: excessive concentration of land and Indians in the hands of the encomenderos might lead to the rise of a class of great feudal lords independent of royal authority, a development the Spanish monarchs were determined to prevent.
The evolution of Spain’s Indian policy reflected a complex clash of interests and opinions. Bartolomé de las Casas demanded suppression of the encomiendas. The encomenderos threatened the Crown with loss of its American empire through Indian revolt and requested that their encomiendas be made hereditary. A majority of Crown officials and most of the clergy took a “realist” compromising position. They argued that the encomienda, regulated by laws to safeguard Indian welfare, was necessary for the prosperity and security of the land: “There could be no stability in the land without rich men and there could be no rich men without encomiendas. All industry was carried on with Indian labor, and only those with Indians could engage in commerce.”
[Source: Keen, Benjamin. Life and Labor in Ancient Mexico: The Brief and Summary Relation of the Lords of New Spain.
New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1963. Reprinted with permission.]
Compare and contrast what Sources E and F reveal about the impact of the encomiendas.
Markscheme
Apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and award credit wherever it is possible to do so. The following material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. It is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Comparisons:
- Both sources state that the indigenous populations were exploited.
- Both show the need to pass legislation regulating the living and working conditions of the indigenous peoples.
- Both state the Spanish crown faced problems in finding a balance between the interests of encomenderos and the welfare of the indigenous populations.
- Both sources attribute a leading role to Bartolomé de las Casas in attempting to regulate indigenous labour.
Contrasts:
- Whereas Source E claims Spain saw the encomiendas as leading to abuses, Source F states Spain saw them as necessary for prosperity.
- Source E states encomenderos deserved large estates in America whereas Source F argues that there was concern these lords could challenge royal authority.
Examiners report
There was continued improvement in the approach by candidates to the third question this session. The majority attempted to identify comparisons and contrasts, and in line with the requirements of the question, wrote a running commentary of similarities and differences. Indeed, it was pleasing to find that responses offered several valid similarities and differences. Candidates should be made aware that for the top markband, more than two developed linkage points between the sources should be established, for example two developed comparisons and two developed contrasts.
Some responses lacked clarity and/or development; points of comparison and contrast should have clear reference to the source content. A minority of candidates wrote accounts that described the content of each source without explicitly identifying comparisons and contrasts.
