Mita
Definition
Mandatory public service in the society of the Inca Empire. Citizens were required to contribute labor as a form of tax.
Analogy
Imagine if instead of paying taxes with money, you paid with your time and skills - that's what mita was like for people living under Incan rule.
Historical Context
The Mita was an Incan labor system that mandated public service, both in terms of military and civil work, under the rule of the Sapa Inca. It was established during the Inca Empire, which dominated parts of South America from the early 13th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Under this system, all members of communities under Incan control were required to contribute their labor to state projects for a set period each year.Historical Significance
The Mita system was significant because it allowed the Inca Empire to mobilize labor for large-scale projects such as building roads, temples, and agricultural terraces without relying on slavery. It played a crucial role in maintaining and expanding the empire by ensuring that necessary infrastructure and state functions were adequately staffed. When adapted by Spanish colonial rulers after their conquest of the Incas, it became a tool for economic exploitation, particularly in silver mines like Potosí, profoundly affecting indigenous populations and their societies.Related terms
Corvée Labor System: A type of unpaid, unfree labour which is intermittent in nature. It resembles mita but was prevalent across many different civilizations throughout history.
Feudalism: The dominant social system in medieval Europe where peasants were obligated to live on their lord's land and give him homage, labor, and shares of produce (akin to mita) in exchange for military protection.
Tribute System: A system where one country pays tribute (in goods or labor) to another country for protection or as acknowledgment of submission or allegiance.
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