In Depth
See Also

New Spain

Viceroyalty of New Spain was the name of the viceroy Viceroy

A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of ... 

-ruled territories of the Spanish Empire Spanish Empire

The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire [i]. ... 

 in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i] ... 

 and its peripheries from 1535 to 1821. New Spain's territory included what is the Bay Islands Bay Islands (department)

Islas de la Baha is one of the 18 departments [i] into which the Central America [i] ... 

 ', Cayman Islands Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are an overseas territory [i] of the United Kingdom [i] in ... 

 ', Central America Central America

Central America is the central geographic [i] region [i] of the Americas [i]. ... 

 , Cuba Cuba

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth [i] and a ... 

, Florida Florida

Florida is a U.S. state [i] located in the southeastern [i] United States [i] ... 

, Hispaniola Hispaniola

The island of Hispaniola is the second-largest island [i] of the Antilles [i], lying between the island ... 

 , Jamaica Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation [i] of the Greater Antilles [i], 240 kilometres in length and as much as 85 ... 

 ' Mariana Islands, Mexico Mexico

The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

, Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

, Trinidad Trinidad

Trinidad is the largest and most populous of the 23 islands [i] which mak ... 

 ' and nearly all of the southwest United States Southwestern United States

The southwestern United States is a region of the western United States [i], warmer than the northern st ... 

 , but the northern boundary of New Spain remained undefined until the Adams-On?s Treaty of 1819. For at least part of its existence, New Spain also included Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical [i] Caribbean [i] coast of South America [i] ... 

.

Discussions

  Discussion Features

   Ask a question about 'New Spain'

   Start a new discussion about 'New Spain'

   Answer questions about 'New Spain'

   'New Spain' discussion forum

Timeline

1700   Mission San Xavier del Bac Mission San Xavier del Bac

San Xavier del Bac is a historic Spanish [i] mission [i] about 10 miles south of downto ... 

 founded in New Spain near Tucson Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a city and the seat of Pima County, Arizona [i], United States [i], located 118 miles southe ... 

, as a Spanish Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a Europe [i]an parliamentary monarchy [i]. ... 

 Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian [i] Church [i] ... 

 mission.



Encyclopedia

New Spain
Nueva España

Capital Capital

In politics [i], a capital is the principal city [i] or town [i] associated with a country's government [i] ... 

Mexico City Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital [i] city [i] of the nation of Mexico [i].... 

Largest city Mexico City Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital [i] city [i] of the nation of Mexico [i].... 

Official language Spanish Spanish language

Spanish or Castilian is an Iberian Romance language [i]. ... 

Head of State Head of State

Head of State or Chief of State is the generic term for the individual or collective office that s... 

King of Spain
Government Viceroy Viceroy

A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of ... 

alty of the Spanish Empire Spanish Empire

The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire [i].... 


See List of Viceroys of New Spain List of Viceroys of New Spain

Viceroy [i]s of New Spain [i]
... 


Existed 1535–1821



Viceroyalty of New Spain was the name of the viceroy Viceroy

A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of ... 

-ruled territories of the Spanish Empire Spanish Empire

The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire [i].... 

 in North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i]... 

 and its peripheries from 1535 to 1821.

New Spain's territory included what is the Bay Islands Bay Islands (department)

Islas de la Baha is one of the 18 departments [i] into which the Central America [i] ... 

 ',
Cayman Islands Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are an overseas territory [i] of the United Kingdom [i] in ... 

 
', Central America Central America

Central America is the central geographic [i] region [i] of the Americas [i]. ... 

 , Cuba Cuba

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth [i] and a ... 

, Florida Florida

Florida is a U.S. state [i] located in the southeastern [i] United States [i] ... 

, Hispaniola Hispaniola

The island of Hispaniola is the second-largest island [i] of the Antilles [i], lying between the island ... 

 , Jamaica Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation [i] of the Greater Antilles [i], 240 kilometres in length and as much as 85 ... 

 ' Mariana Islands, Mexico Mexico

The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

, Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

, Trinidad Trinidad

Trinidad is the largest and most populous of the 23 islands [i] which mak ... 

 
' and nearly all of the southwest United States Southwestern United States

The southwestern United States is a region of the western United States [i], warmer than the northern st ... 

 , but the northern boundary of New Spain remained undefined until the Adams-Onís Treaty Adams-Onís Treaty

The Adams-Ons Treaty of 1819 was a historic agreement between the United States [i] and Spain [i] that s ... 

 of 1819. For at least part of its existence, New Spain also included Venezuela Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern tropical [i] Caribbean [i] coast of South America [i] ... 

.

In 1821, Spain lost the continental territories, when it recognized the independence of Mexico Mexican War of Independence

The Mexican War of Independence, which started on September 16, 1810, was Mexico's [i] struggle f ... 

. However, Cuba Cuba

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth [i] and a ... 

, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

 and Spanish East Indies  remained a part of the Spanish crown until the Spanish–American War Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War took place in 1898 and resulted in the United States [i] gaining control over t ... 

 .

Context


During this long period of time, Spain Spain

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain , is a Europe [i]an parliamentary monarchy [i].... 

, Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

, America United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 and the viceroyalty experienced different historical, cultural, social, economic and political movements. This makes it necessary to make a good deal of distinction in order to be able to characterize the developments that took place in ideology and actions over the long historical period, longer even, for instance, than the current duration of Mexican or Filipino independence.

In addition, the vastness of New Spain and its trade with China China

China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 and Japan Japan

is an island country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 via the Manila Galleon Manila Galleon

The Manila galleons were Spanish [i] trading ships that sailed once or twice per year across the P ... 

 , as well as the journeys of under the Spanish flag in the 18th century 18th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 18th century refers to the century [i] that las ... 

 which had to evade Caribbean pirates, encouraged complex and changing economic and military strategies, just as Spain changed from the Catholic Monarchs Catholic Monarchs

The Catholic Monarchs is the collective title used in history for Queen Isabella I [i] ... 

 to the and to Joseph Bonaparte Joseph Bonaparte

Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte, King of Naples, King of Spain
... 

, the political doctrines that were adopted by Spain also affected the viceroyalty.

History


Settlement




After the Spanish conquest of Mexico Spanish conquest of Mexico

The Spanish conquest of Mexico was one of the most important campaigns in the Spanish colonization of the Americas [i]... 

 , the Council of the Indies was constituted in 1524 and the first Audiencia in 1527. In 1535, the Holy Roman Emperor Holy Roman Emperor

The Holy Roman Emperor was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire [i], a predecessor of numerous countries mainl ... 

 Charles V of Spain Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

Charles V was ruler of the Burgundian territories [i], King of Castile [i], King of Aragon [i] ... 

 named Antonio de Mendoza Antonio de Mendoza

Antonio de Mendoza, 3rd conde de Tendilla, was the first viceroy of New Spain [i], serving from April 17 ... 

 New Spain's first viceroy. Mendoza commissioned the expedition of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Francisco Vásquez de Coronado

Francisco Vzquez de Coronado was a Spanish [i] conquistador [i], who between 1540 [i] and 1542 [i] ... 

 in 1540-42, the explorations of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo

Joo Rodrigues Cabrilho was a Portuguese [i] explorer [i] noted for his explor... 

 in the western coastline of Alta California in 1542-43, and the expedition of Ruy López de Villalobos to the Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

 in 1542-43. Many towns were founded: San Miguel de Allende San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is the municipal seat of the municipality of Allende, Guanajuato [i]. ... 

, Durango Durango

Durango is one of the constituent states [i] of Mexico [i]. ... 

 , Santa Fe Santa Fe

Santa Fe or Santa F , meaning "Holy Faith" or Saint Faith [i], is the name of a number of places ... 

 or Ensenada, Baja California Ensenada, Baja California

Ensenada is a city in the Mexican [i] state [i] of
... 

. The construction of drainage works to safeguard Mexico City from the perennial floods, and to repair damage from recent flooding, were continuous.

In 1565, Miguel López de Legazpi Miguel López de Legazpi

Miguel Lpez de Legazpi, also known as El Adelantado [i] and El Viejo, was a Spanish [i] ... 

 formed the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

, which became the town of San Miguel Cebu City

The City of Cebu is the provincial capital of Cebu [i] in the Philippines [i] and is the second most imp ... 

, and Andrés de Urdaneta Andrés de Urdaneta

... 

 found the return route from the Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

 to New Spain. In 1570 the native city of Manila Manila

The City of Manila, or simply Manila, is the capital [i] of the Philippines [i]. ... 

 was conquered and declared a Spanish city the following year. Each Manila galleon Manila Galleon

The Manila galleons were Spanish [i] trading ships that sailed once or twice per year across the P ... 

 was loaded with a year's worth of luxury goods from the Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

  en route to Acapulco Acapulco

[i] on the Pacific coast of [[Mexico]... 

 after an short inland transport from Acapulco to Veracruz Veracruz

The state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states [i] that compose ... 

 and the subsequent load consolidation with silver and other goods produced in New Spain, the convoy resumed their sea journey filled with lots of high priced goods meant for ultimate delivery in Spain and, via trading, the rest of Europe. There were depredations by Francis Drake Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral [i], was an English [i] privateer [i], navigator [i] ... 

 in 1586 and Thomas Cavendish Thomas Cavendish

Sir Thomas Cavendish was born in Trimley St. Martin [i] near Ipswich, Suffolk, England [i].... 

 in 1587 mostly in the area of the Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is a major body of water [i] bordered and nearly landlock [i]ed by North America [i]. ... 

. Cities as Huatulco Huatulco

Huatulco is a tourist destination in Mexico.... 

  and Navidad  were sacked, too. Lope Díez de Armendáriz Lope Díez de Armendáriz, marqués de Cadereyta

... 

, the first American-born viceroy of New Spain, formed the Armada de Barlovento, based in Veracruz Veracruz

The state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states [i] that compose ... 

, which patrolled the Gulf coast to protect the ports and shipping from pirates.



In 1591, Luis de Velasco Luis de Velasco, marqués de Salinas

... 

 obtained the pacification of the Chichimeca Chichimeca

Chichimeca was the name that the Mexica [i] generically gave to a wide range of nomad [i]ic groups ... 

 tribes. In 1602, Sebastián Vizcaíno Sebastián Vizcaíno

... 

 travelled as far north as Monterey Bay, Alta California. In 1606, Spanish and allies forces established in Ternate Ternate

Ternate is an island and town in the Maluku Islands [i] of eastern Indonesia [i], located off the west c ... 

, Tidore, Gigolo y Filolo , remained until 1663. Contacts with Japan Japan

is an island country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 were established and Sebastián Vizcaíno Sebastián Vizcaíno

... 

 was sent as ambassador in 1611. In the north coast of Taiwan Taiwan

Taiwan is an island in East Asia [i], but the term "Taiwan" is also commonly used to collectively refer ... 

, the spanish, Filipinos Filipino people

The Filipinos or the Filipino people are the native inhabitants and citizen [i]s of the Republic o ... 

 and allies built Fort Santo Domingo Fort Santo Domingo

Fuerte Santo Domingo or Fort San Domingo was originally a wooden fort built by the Spanish in 1629... 

 near Keelung Keelung

Keelung City is a provincial city [i] of Taiwan Province [i], Republic of China [i]. ... 

 in 1626 and a mission en Tan-shui , which they occupied until 1642 when they were driven out by a joint Dutch-Aborigine invasion force. Many Pacific islands were visited by Spanish ships in the 16th century, but they made no effort to trade with or colonize them: New Guinea New Guinea

New Guinea, located just north of Australia [i], is the world's second largest [i] ... 

 , Solomon Islands Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands is a nation in Melanesia [i], east of Papua New Guinea [i], consisting of nearly one ... 

  or Marquesas Islands Marquesas Islands

The Marquesas Islands are a group of island [i]s in French Polynesia [i]. ... 

 .

Great educational institutions were founded: The Colegio de Santa Cruz at Tlatelolco , the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico National Autonomous University of Mexico

The National Autonomous University of Mexico
... 

 , the Colegio de San Ildefonso University of San Carlos

[i] and in [[Asia]... 

  at Cebu City Cebu City

The City of Cebu is the provincial capital of Cebu [i] in the Philippines [i] and is the second most imp ... 

 and the University of Santo Tomas University of Santo Tomas


The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippin... 

  at Manila Manila

The City of Manila, or simply Manila, is the capital [i] of the Philippines [i]. ... 

. On March 25, 1544 Viceroy Mendoza promulgated the New Laws, intended to ease the plight of Indians under the system of forced labor. The Inquisition Inquisition

The term Inquisition refers broadly to a number of historical movements orchestrated by the Roman Catholic Church [i] ... 

 was established formally in 1571. In 1573 the Cathedral of Mexico City was begun.

At Acapulco Acapulco

[i] on the Pacific coast of [[Mexico]... 

 and Veracruz Veracruz

The state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states [i] that compose ... 

, Suárez Lorenzo Suárez de Mendoza, 4th conde de la Coruña

... 

  instituted the Commercial Tribunal to regulate commercial affairs and to supervise the two grand fairs. In 1639 a bull of Pope Urban VIII Pope Urban VIII

Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was Pope [i] from 1623 [i] to 1644 [i].
... 

 prohibited slavery in Latin America, but Philip IV permitted the continuation of black slavery.

The last Spanish Habsburgs


The presidio , pueblo and the misión were the three major agencies employed by the Spanish crown to extend its borders and consolidate its colonial Colonialism

See colony [i] and colonisation [i] for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism. ... 

 territories in these territories.

The U.S. town of Alburquerque Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque is the largest city [i] in the state [i] of New Mexico [i] ... 

 was founded in 1660, the Mexican towns of Paso del Norte
Immersed in a low intensity war with England , the defenses of Veracruz Veracruz

The state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states [i] that compose ... 

 and San Juan de Ulúa San Juan de Ulúa

[i] of [[Veracruz|Veracruz]... 

, Jamaica, Cuba and Florida were strengthened. Santiago de Cuba Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is the capital city of Santiago de Cuba Province [i] in eastern Cuba [i]. ... 

 , St. Augustine Spanish Florida Spanish Florida

Spanish Florida refers to the Spanish [i] colony [i] of Florida [i]. ... 

  or Campeche 1678 were sacked by the English. The Tarahumara Indians were in revolt in the mountains of Chihuahua Chihuahua

Chihuahua is a state [i] in northwestern Mexico [i]. ... 

 for several years. In 1670 Chichimeca Chichimeca

Chichimeca was the name that the Mexica [i] generically gave to a wide range of nomad [i]ic groups ... 

s invaded Durango Durango

Durango is one of the constituent states [i] of Mexico [i]. ... 

, and the governor, Francisco González, abandoned its defense. In 1680, 25,000 previously subjugated Indians in 24 pueblos of New Mexico New Mexico

New Mexico is a southwestern [i] state in the United States of America [i]. ... 

 rose against the Spanish and killed all the Europeans they encountered. In 1685, after a revolt of the chamorros, the Marianas islands were incorporated to the New Spain. In 1695, this time with the English help, the viceroy Gaspar de la Cerda Gaspar de la Cerda Sandoval Silva y Mendoza, 8th conde de Gelves

Don [i] Gaspar de la Cerda Sandoval Silva y Mendoza, 8th conde de Gelves was viceroy of New Spain [i] fr ... 

 attacked the French who had established a base on the island of Española. In 1704 the viceroy Francisco Fernández de la Cueva Francisco Fernández de la Cueva Enríquez, 10th Duke of Alburquerque

... 

 suppressed a rebellion of the Pima Indians in Nueva Vizcaya Nueva Vizcaya

Nueva Vizcaya is a province [i] of the Philippines [i] located in the Cagayan Valley [i]... 

.

Diego Osorio de Escobar y Llamas Diego Osorio de Escobar y Llamas

[i] Diego Osorio de Escobar y Llamas was Roman Catholic bishop of Puebla and viceroy of [[New Spain]... 

 reformed the postal service and the marketing of mercury. The trade with Siam Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia [i], bordering Laos [i] and Cambodia [i] to the e ... 

 and Cochinchina Cochinchina

Cochinchina, from Cochin China, in French [i]: Cochinchine) is a name for th ... 

 were increased, sending mercury, saltpeter and other mineral products. In 1701 the Tribunal de la Acordada , an organization of volunteers intended to capture and quickly try bandits, was founded. The church of Virgin of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Virgin of Guadalupe is a 16th century painting, a Roman Catholic [i] ... 

, patron of Mexico, was finished in 1702.

The Bourbon Reforms


In 1720, the Villasur expedition Villasur expedition

The Villasur expedition was a Spanish [i] military expedition intended to check the growing French [i] ... 

 from Santa Fe met and attempted to parley with French French colonization of the Americas

French colonization of the Americas began in the 16th century, and continued as France [i] established a ... 

- allied Pawnee Pawnee

The Pawnee are a Native American [i] tribe that historically live ... 

 in what is now Nebraska Nebraska

Nebraska is a Great Plains [i] state [i] of the United States [i]. ... 

. Negotiations were unsuccessful, and a battle ensued; the Spanish were badly defeated, with only 13 managing to return to New Mexico. Although this was a small engagement, it is significant in that it was the deepest penetration of the Spanish into the Great Plains Great Plains

The Great Plains is the broad expanse of prairie [i] and steppe [i] which lies east of the Rocky Mountains [i] ... 

, establishing the limit to Spanish expansion and influence there.

Spanish rule on the Philippines was briefly interrupted in 1762, when British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 troops invaded and occupied the islands. The Treaty of Paris  gave Spain rights to land west of the Mississippi. Spain also ceded Florida to England to regain Cuba, which the English occupied during the war.

The 21 northern Missions in present–day Alta California Spanish missions in California

The Spanish Missions in California comprise a series of religious [i] outposts established by Spanish [i] ... 

 were established along California's El Camino Real from 1769.

In an effort to exclude Britain and Russia Russia

Russia , also the Russian Federation , is a country [i] that stretches over a vast expanse of Eurasia [i] ... 

 from the eastern Pacific Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

, King Charles III of Spain Charles III of Spain

Charles III was king of [i] Spain [i] 1759 [i]–1788 [i], King of the Two Sicilies [i] ... 

 sent forth from Mexico Mexico

The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

 a number of expeditions to explore the Pacific Northwest between 1774 and 1791 History of Alaska

The history of Alaska began in 1867, but settlement of the region dates back to the end of the Upper Paleolithic [i] ... 

.



Spain entered the American Revolutionary War American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between... 

 as an ally of France in June 1779, a renewal of the Bourbon Family Compact. On May 8, 1782, Count Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana Louisiana

cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
... 

, captured the British naval base at New Providence New Providence

New Providence is an island, one of the most populous in the Bahamas [i].
... 

 in the Bahamas The Bahamas

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is an independent English [i]-speaking nation in the West Indies [i] ... 

. On the Gulf Coast Gulf Coast of the United States

The Gulf Coast region of the United States [i] comprises the coasts of states which border the Gulf of Mexico [i] ... 

, the actions of Gálvez led to Spain acquiring East East Florida

East Florida was originally a part of Spanish Florida [i]. ... 

 and West Florida West Florida

West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico [i], which underwent several boundary ... 

 in the peace settlement, as well as controlling the mouth of the Mississippi River after the war—which would prove to be a major source of tension between Spain and the United States in the years to come.

In 1781, a Spanish expedition during the American Revolutionary War American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , also known as the American War of Independence, was a war between... 

 left St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis , sometimes written Saint Louis, encompasses an independent city [i] in the U.S. state [i] ... 

  and reached as far as Fort St. Joseph at Niles, Michigan Niles, Michigan

Niles is a city in Berrien County [i] in the U.S. state [i] of Michigan [i]. ... 

 where they captured the fort while the British were away. Spanish territorial claims based on this furthest north penetration of Spain in North America were not supported at the treaty negotiations.


In the second Treaty of Paris , which ended the American Revolution, Britain ceded West Florida back to Spain to regain The Bahamas, which Spain had occupied during the war. Spain then had control over the river south of 32°30' north latitude, and, in what is known as the Spanish Conspiracy, hoped to gain greater control of Louisiana and all of the west. These hopes ended when Spain was pressured into signing Pinckney's Treaty in 1795. France reacquired 'Louisiana' from Spain in the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso in 1800. The United States bought the territory from France in the Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States [i] of more than 530,000,000 acres of ... 

 of 1803.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, Governor-General José Basco y Vargas established the Economic Society of Friends of the Country.

The Nootka Convention  resolved the dispute between Spain and Great Britain about the British settlements in Oregon to British Columbia.

End of the Viceroyalty


Spanish Florida would ultimately be acquired Adams-Onís Treaty

The Adams-Ons Treaty of 1819 was a historic agreement between the United States [i] and Spain [i] that s ... 

 by the United States in 1819.



After priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Miguel Hidalgo

Don Miguel Hidalgo, in full Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla Gallaga Mondarte Villa... 

's Grito de Dolores , the insurgent army began an eleven-year war that would culminate in triumph by the Mexicans, who then offered the crown of the new Mexican Empire Mexican Empire

The Mexican Empire was the name of Mexico [i] on two non-consecutive occasions in the 19th century [i] w ... 

 to Ferdinand VII Ferdinand VII of Spain

Ferdinand VII was King of Spain [i] from 1813 [i] to 1833 [i].
... 

 or to a member of the nobility that he would designate. After the refusal of the Spanish monarchy to recognize the independence of Mexico the cut all political and economic ties with the Kingdom of Spain.

However, Cuba Cuba

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth [i] and a ... 

, the Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

 and Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

, remained a part of the Spanish Crown until the Spanish–American War Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War took place in 1898 and resulted in the United States [i] gaining control over t ... 

 .

Politics


New Spain was organized into several subdivisions, including Nueva Extremadura, Nueva Galicia, Nueva Vizcaya and Nuevo Santander, as well as the Captaincies General of Guatemala Guatemala

Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala , is a country in Central America [i], in the sout ... 

, Cuba Cuba

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, consists of the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth [i] and a ... 

 and Santo Domingo Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo de Guzmn, population 2,061,200 , estimated 2,253,437 in 2006, is the capital [i] and the l ... 

, and the Philippine Islands Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

.

New Spain was ruled by a Mexico City Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital [i] city [i] of the nation of Mexico [i].... 

-based viceroy Viceroy

A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of ... 

 appointed by the Spanish monarch Spanish monarchy

The Spanish Monarchy is the parliamentary monarchy [i] of Spain [i].... 

.

Economy


To pay off the Spanish army that captured Mexico the soldiers and officers were granted large areas of land and the natives who lived on them as a type of feudalism. Although officially they could not become slaves, the system, known as , came to signify the oppression and exploitation of natives, although its originators may not have set out with such intent. In short order the upper echelons of patrons and priests in the society lived off the work of the lower classes. Due to some horrifying instances of abuse against the indigenous peoples, Bishop Bartolomé de las Casas Bartolomé de Las Casas

Bartolom de Las Casas, O.P.... 

 suggested bringing black slaves to replace them. Fr Bartolomé later repented when he saw the even worse treatment given to the black slaves. The other discovery that perpetuated this system was extensive silver mines discovered at Potosi and other places that were worked for hundreds of years by forced native labor and contributed most of the wealth flowing to Spain. The Viceroyalty of New Spain was the principal source of income for Spain among the Spanish colonies, with important mining centers like Guanajuato Guanajuato

Guanajuato is a state in the central highlands of Mexico [i]. ... 

, San Luis Potosi San Luis Potosí

The Mexican [i] state of San Luis Potos has an area of 62,848 km.
... 

 and Hidalgo Hidalgo

Hidalgo is a state in central Mexico [i], with an area of 20,502 km.
... 

.

There were several major ports in New Spain. There were the ports of Veracruz Veracruz

The state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states [i] that compose ... 

 the viceroyalty's principal port on the Atlantic Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

, Acapulco Acapulco

[i] on the Pacific coast of [[Mexico]... 

 on the Pacific Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

, and Manila Manila

The City of Manila, or simply Manila, is the capital [i] of the Philippines [i]. ... 

 near the South China Sea South China Sea

The South China Sea is a marginal sea [i] south of China [i]. ... 

. The ports were fundamental for overseas trade, stretching a trade route from Asia Asia

Asia is the largest and most populous continent [i] or region, depending on the definition.... 

, through the Manila Galleon Manila Galleon

The Manila galleons were Spanish [i] trading ships that sailed once or twice per year across the P ... 

  to the Spanish mainland.

There were ships that made two voyages a year between Manila Manila

The City of Manila, or simply Manila, is the capital [i] of the Philippines [i]. ... 

 and Acapulco, whose goods were then transported overland from Acapulco to Veracruz and later reshipped from Veraruz to Cádiz Cádiz

Cdiz – Phoenician [i]: ??? - Gadir; Greek [i]: ... 

 in Spain. So then, the ships that set sail from Veracruz were generally loaded with merchandise from the Orient originating from the commercial centers of the Philippines Philippines

The Philippines , officially the Republic of the Philippines , is an island nation [i] located in ... 

, plus the precious metal Precious metal

A precious metal is a rare metallic [i] chemical element [i] of high economic [i] value.
... 

s and natural resources of Mexico Mexico

The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country [i] located in North America [i] ... 

, Central America Central America

Central America is the central geographic [i] region [i] of the Americas [i]. ... 

 and the Caribbean Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

. During the sixteenth century, Spain held the equivalent of US$ United States dollar

For details of current paper money [i] and coins, see Federal Reserve Note [i] and United States coinage [i] ... 

1.5 trillion in gold Gold

Gold is a highly sought-after precious metal [i] that for many centuries has been used as money [i], a store of value [i] ... 

 and silver received from New Spain.

Nevertheless, these resources did not translate into development for the Metropolis Metropolis

A metropolis is a major city [i], in most cases with a population of at least one million inside its ur ... 

  due to Spain's frequent preoccupation with European wars , as well as the incessant decrease in overseas transportation caused by assaults from companies of English buccaneers, Dutch corsairs and pirates Piracy

Piracy is robbery [i] committed at sea, or sometimes on the shore, by an agent without a commission [i] ... 

 of various origin. These companies were initially financed by, at first, by the Amsterdam Amsterdam

, the official capital [i] of the Netherlands [i], lies on the banks of two bodies of water, the IJ bay [i] ... 

 Stock Market Stock market

A stock market is a market [i] for the trading [i] of company [i] stock [i] ... 

 — the first in history and whose origin is owed precisely to the need for funds to finance pirate expeditions —, as later by the London market. The above is what some authors call the "historical process of the transfer of wealth from the south to the north."

Demographics


The role of epidemics


Spanish settlers also brought with them smallpox Smallpox

Smallpox was a highly contagious viral disease [i] unique to humans.... 

, typhus Typhus

This is about the disease Typhus.... 

, and other diseases. Most of the settlers had developed an immunity from childhood, but the indigenous peoples lacked the needed antibodies Antibody

An antibody or immunoglobulin is a large Y-shaped protein [i] used by the immune system [i] to ide ... 

 since these diseases were totally alien to the American native population at the time. There were at least three separate epidemics that decimated the population: Smallpox , measles and typhus . Of the estimated 8 to 20 million of the original prehispanic population, less than two million are believed to have survived. At the end of the 16th century 16th century

As a means of recording the passage of time [i], the 16th century was that century [i] which lasted from ... 

, New Spain was a depopulated country with abandoned cities and maize Maize

Maize , also known as corn, is a cereal [i] grain [i] that was domesticated in Mesoamerica [i]. ... 

 fields.

The role of the interracial mixing


With the conquest a new ethnic group was created by the Spaniards: the , a result of the conquerors taking native women as a measure against revolt by the natives and beginning the mixing of both cultures.

Most of these lands were dominated by Spanish landowners and their white descendants. Europeans, in fact, totally dominated the politics and economy of colonial Mexico. Mestizos came next, and native peoples occupied the lowest rung of society.

The majority of the Spanish colonists were men with no wives available and married or made concubines of the natives, and were even encouraged to do so by Queen Isabella Isabella of Castile

Isabella of Castile was Queen regnant of Castile and Leon [i]. ... 

 during the earliest days of colonization. As a result of these unions, as well as concubinage and secret mistresses, a vast class of people known as and mulattos came into being. But even if mixes were allowed, the white population tried, largely successfully even today, to keep their status. After the native population was decimated by epidemics and forced labor, black slaves were imported. A system was created to keep each mix in a different social level: . Each different mix had a name and different privileges or prohibitions. There were even two different kinds of whites, those born in Spain, later referred to as , who got all the upper level positions and higher paying jobs. At a lower level, those born in America, or took the next lower layer of desirable jobs. and then mulattos were next, followed by the unmixed natives, , and blacks, respectively. The Spanish tried by all means to keep their status, even if they took native women. Those who were wealthy enough also tried to have a Spanish wife, who was sent to give birth in Spain to prevent their children from becoming .
In spite of the sistema de castas, the Amerindians and the Mestizos were taught the religion and the language of the Metropoli , and they were even allowed to become members of the religious orders or even priests. Moreover, efforts were made to keep the Amerindian cultural aspects which did not violate the Catholic traditions. As an example, some Spaniards learned some of the Amerindian languages and developped a Grammar for them, so that they could be easily transmitted. On the other hand, the idea of sharing the language and the religion with the natives was deeply rejected in the English colonies of North America and their culture was ignored, dispised and eventually obliterated.

and were nevertheless not allowed in the upper levels of the government or any other position of power, and eventually they joined forces for the independence of Mexico. With independence, the caste system and slavery were theoretically abolished, however it can be argued that, despite the left back to Europe or merged with the , the latter replaced them in terms of power.

Thus, , while they no longer have a separate legal status from other groups, comprise approximately 60–65% of the population. Whites, who no longer have a special legal status, are thought to be about 15–20% of the population and still have most of the desirable jobs. In modern Mexico, has became more a cultural term, since a Native American that abandons his traditional ways is considered a mestizo, also most Afromexicans prefer to be considered , since they feel more identified with this group.

The role of the Catholic church


The brought with them the Catholic faith and a lot of priests, to which the population was seemingly rapidly converted. Because of their joint action in getting rid of the Moors Moors

The Moors were the medieval Muslim [i] inhabitants of al-Andalus [i] and the Maghreb [i] and western Africa [i]... 

 in Spain, the Catholic Church was basically regarded as an arm of the Spanish government, sin