The Hacienda System was a form of large-scale agricultural estate system established by the Spanish in colonial Latin America and the Philippines. It involved landowners, known as hacendados, who controlled vast amounts of lands and indigenous labor.
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The hacienda system emerged during the colonial period, particularly in Latin America under Spanish rule. It began to take shape in the 16th century and became more prominent over time. Haciendas were large estates that often encompassed both land for agriculture and herding. These estates were typically owned by the local elite or colonial settlers who were granted land by the Spanish Crown as a reward for services or to encourage colonization.
The hacienda system played a central role in shaping the social and economic structure of colonial Latin America. It entrenched a feudal-like system where peons and indigenous people worked under often oppressive conditions, tied to the land through debt peonage or obligation. The concentration of land and power in the hands of a few led to significant wealth disparities that have had lasting impacts on Latin American societies, influencing class structures and contributing to ongoing social and economic inequality in the region.