Economic exploitation

The Aztecs were stripped of their wealth and subjected to the brutal encomienda system, forcing them into harsh labour to enrich their new Spanish overlords.

The encomienda system rewarded conquistadors with the right to demand tribute and labour from indigenous communities, causing widespread exploitation.

Slum landlords like Peter Rachman charged exorbitant rents for squalid conditions, often using intimidation against migrant tenants.

The Spanish established the encomienda system, leading to the severe exploitation and demographic collapse of the native population.

The shift from peaceful exchange to demanding tribute and forced labour, driven by an intense obsession with discovering gold.

The booming mining economy relied heavily on indigenous forced labour through the encomienda system and yanaconas.