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The contrasting themes and traditions in Classical and Baroque Sculpture

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Silver Mining

The Spanish took great interest in the precious metals of the Americas, and the abundance of silver elicited heavy mining of the highly-valued treasure,

The extraction of silver grew to be a major part in Spain’s American enterprise, and the production became concentrated in two places-- the Zacatecas region and the Andes (specifically Potosí)

The large scale mining called for many laborers, and while some of the work was selected voluntarily, the mita system was implemented to recruit (force) workers to complete the dangerous tasks left to be done. These recruits worked in deathly conditions and received little pay.

Silver Mining Background

The Encomienda System

The workforces were organized under the encomienda system, first seen during the time of the reconquest of Spain.

In short, the system basically allowed the conquerors to be rewarded through labor and tribute from the Moorish, while simultaneously giving the duty of watching after the safety and health of their laborers.

The system spread to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Andean South America.k

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