Establishment of the Spain’s Monopoly
With the ‘discovery’ of the New World by Columbus, Spain
now owned a vast empire. The conquest of the mainland,
which also gave Spain Mexico in 1519 (Cortes) and Peru in
1535 (Pizzaro), forced her to tighten control before her
enemies established themselves and try to take her colonies
over. The Spanish American Empire extended from Texas in
North America to Patagonia (Argentina) in South America,
inclusive of the Caribbean region.
The Spanish Government maintained the belief that the
increase of Spain’s power existed in the wealth of its empire.
For Spain, this meant establishing absolute control over her
area by monopolizing trade with her colonies and
establishing a rigidly organized system of government.
Government of the Empire
Spain’s government had developed a centralized legal
system, and a similar system was put in place in her overseas
empire. During the period 1492-1510, the conquistadors/
explorers had absolute power. Settlement was mainly in the
Greater Antilles which were mainly used as trading and
exploration bases.
In each colony there was a Governor in charge who would
abuse their authority and cause the colony to experience
social instability. By 1535 with Mexico and Peru in her hands,
Spain aimed to establish a system which would check and
balance different officials. Individuals were placed in a
position to spy and make reports on each official’s doings.
The king was the head of the new system, who appointed
the bishops and other officials for the New World. Supreme
and final authority rested on him.
The Council of the Indies and the House of Trade were
established in Spain itself and the chief agent of control
being the RCC (Roman Catholic Church).
Council of the Indies
⮚ Began operating in 1511 but was established in 1524
⮚ Appointed all top ranking positions and were
responsible for supervising colonial affairs (officers were
to be born in Spain)
⮚ Controlled all emigration to the New World
⮚ Was the administrative headquarters of the Empire
⮚ Regulated the relationship between Spain and her
empire
⮚ Dealt with all colonial matters except Trade.
House of Trade
⮚ Founded in Seville, Spain 1503-1707
⮚ Responsible for management of trading-matters in the
New World (Empire)
⮚ Controlled all economic activity
⮚ Supervised the convoy system (1560) which was
designed to protect Spain’s Treasure laden vessels from
sea robbers
⮚ Issued 'asiento' and other trade licenses ( ‘asiento’ was
a coveted prize which fetched a high price)
⮚ Legalized the sale of slaves (slave trading was a
lucrative business)
⮚ Change (levied) tax and duties
Governance in the New World
The Roman Catholic Church
⮚ Agent of Control in the New World
⮚ A powerful political, religious and economic institution
⮚ Present in every town and village
⮚ Held Inquisitions and tribunals e.g. Lima and Mexico 1570
⮚ Supported royal authority in the New World
⮚ Managed the most important educational institutions
e.g. the Jesuits built 23 colleges in Mexico
⮚ Built many hospitals and attended to the sick
⮚ Supervised the treatment of the Indians
⮚ Priests and nuns staffed orphanages, poor houses and
hospitals
⮚ Checked heretic ideas in the courts (church) and
hunted them down
NB: Spain is a part of the Iberian Peninsula, hence all
officials except the Cabildos were known as peninsulares
Viceroys
⮚ Occupied the highest official position in the empire,
although their authority could be over-ruled by the
Judicial Audencias
⮚ Appointed by their King
⮚ Represents the king in the New World
⮚ Responsible for ensuring that laws sent from Spain were
put into effect
⮚ Served for a term of 4-5 years
⮚ Required to hold a ‘residencia’ (public hearing) at the
end of his office term
Audiencias - legal
⮚ Sub-division of the vice royalties
⮚ Travelling law courts – ruled by judges, lawyers, notaries,
professionally trained legal officers, rulers/leaders
⮚ Sent impartial reports and recommendations to the
Spanish government
⮚ Kept close watch on colonial governor
⮚ Reported to the viceroys, carried out their instructions,
advised them and could summon them before a court
if necessary
⮚ Examined cases brought against Spain
Provinces
⮚ Sub-division of the Audiencias
⮚ Ruled by governors
⮚ For 5 years served as good tax collectors for Spain
⮚ Empowered to discipline any colonial governor acting
contrary to Imperial policy
NB: In order to ensure colonial officials were absolutely loyal
to Spain, an emissary or a commissioner would be sent to
the Empire to inspect and report on royal officials
Governors
⮚ In charge of a specific colony
⮚ Appointed by the King for a specific term
⮚ Received instruction from Spain
Cabildos
⮚ In charge of local govt. - roads, bridges, levy local
taxes, appoint local magistrates and regulate market
prices
⮚ Members all creoles who communicated directly with
the crown
⮚ Supervised Repartimiento
⮚ Worked with councilors and majors
Marsha McIntyre revised 2020