Question

How did spain's record on race relations differ from england's?

Answer 1

While neither nation is known for the best best race relations, Spain does come out slightly ahead, but not by much. Spain´s use of the encomienda system and systematic abuse of the native peoples in the areas that they conquered shows how brutal they could be. Spain often cited the need to ¨save¨ the natives as much of the reason for some of the harsh treatment. Spain destroyed countless historical records written by the various peoples, like the Aztecs. Their goal was to destroy any pagan writings to lead the natives to a "more pure way of life through Jesus." Eventually, it would be the very missionaries that would stand up and protect the native peoples from the tortures inflicted by conquerors and other missionaries and settlers alike. While they were often still treated as second class citizens, they were treated far better. The invaders and natives would quickly intermarry, combining the 2 societies.

The English record is similar, but for far much longer. The English would attempt to subjugate the natives. The natives were always seen as "less than" due to their pagan beliefs. Even those that attempted to assimilate into English culture, were still seen as second-class or less than. Nothing was good enough to allow them into the English Fold. Natives under English rule often hid their ancestry to gain a better access and footing into society. The English would also attempt to wipe out various native populations. This was often done through the intentional use of infectious disease for which the various native peoples had no immunity.

Answer 2

Spain and England had different strategies when it came to race relations when they started to control big territories in the western hemisphere.

Spain was mainly focused on assimilation, they wanted the Europeans to mix with the native tribes and the Africans, so in this way to create a greater unity between the people and to create a mixed race where most of the people were sharing traits from all three races and thus avoid problems in that department. Also, Spain was not not much up for the slavery, but instead considered the imported, bought people as workers, and they were free in general.

England on the other hand, was much more rigorous, the slavery was essential part of its rule and it lasted for pretty long time, and the native populations were oppressed, killed, tortured...