What were the economic opportunities and inequalities created by the Spanish conquistadors in the Americas?

What were the economic opportunities and inequalities created by the Spanish conquistadors in the Americas?

The Spanish conquistadors created economic opportunities in the Americas through the acquisition of vast amounts of gold, silver, and other valuable resources. They established colonies and implemented systems of forced labor, such as the encomienda system, which allowed them to exploit indigenous populations for economic gain. However, these economic opportunities also led to significant inequalities, as the wealth and resources were primarily controlled by the Spanish elite, while the indigenous populations were subjected to harsh labor conditions and often faced displacement, exploitation, and even death.