How accurate is the reputation of the Missions in California of enslaving and oppressing the native populations they were proselytizing?

by grapesie

I tried looking through old responses first, but I couldn't find any questions directly related to the topic of the accuracy of the oppressive spanish mission.

dauthie

I have a follow-up question to help understand the Missions in general:

Are they examples of reducciones? I've never seen them called that and never understood why.

kingofbeards

I just gave a long response to u/dauthie that may answer some of your questions. If you're interested in the particulars of the forced labor, surveillance activities, corporal punishment, etc., I can address that as well.