Which group primarily benefited from the encomienda system?

The encomienda system primarily benefited Spanish colonists. This system was established in the early Spanish colonies of the Americas, allowing colonists to receive grants of land along with the native people who lived on it. This arrangement provided the colonists with a labor force to exploit the land for agricultural production and resources. Under this system, the Spanish colonists were expected to protect the indigenous peoples and convert them to Christianity, but in practice, many faced harsh labor conditions and significant exploitation.

The economic benefit for the colonists was substantial, as they were able to amass wealth derived from the labor of the indigenous populations. The encomienda system thus served as a critical means for Spanish colonists to establish control over their territories and generate profits from the resources found in the New World.