Why did the Spanish stop using the encomienda system?

 The Spanish stopped using the encomienda system for several reasons. One of the primary reasons was that the encomienda system, which had initially been introduced in the Americas as a means of rewarding conquerors with the labor of particular groups of people, evolved into severe exploitation and often brutal treatment of indigenous people.

During the 16th century, Spanish priests and missionaries, such as Bartolomé de las Casas, began to speak out against the abuses occurring within the system. They argued that the indigenous people were being treated unjustly and inhumanely. Las Casas, in particular, was very vocal, advocating for the rights of the native population.

Another contributing factor was the demographic collapse among the indigenous populations, caused by diseases introduced by the Europeans, as well as mistreatment and overwork. This made the system practically unsustainable as there were fewer and fewer natives to work the lands under the encomienda grants.

Furthermore, the Spanish Crown was concerned that the encomienda system granted too much power to the encomenderos (the Spanish settlers who were granted the labor), potentially undermining the authority of the Crown. To strengthen its control over New Spain and protect the indigenous populations, the Spanish Crown enacted the New Laws in 1542, which reformed the encomienda system and set in motion its eventual abolition.

The encomienda system was gradually replaced by other forms of labor, such as the repartimiento system which was intended to be less oppressive, and eventually by African slave labor, which was seen as more dependable and less prone to the influence of settlers.