6.1 Political and administrative structures of New Spain

The Spanish colonial government in New Spain was a complex system with layers of authority. At the top, the viceroy represented the Spanish Crown, while the audiencia served as a high court. The Council of the Indies in Spain oversaw all colonial affairs.

Locally, cabildos managed town affairs, while corregidores and alcaldes mayores administered rural areas. The Two Republics system divided society into Spanish and indigenous spheres, creating a rigid social hierarchy based on race and origin.

Colonial Administration

Viceroyalty and Audiencia: Key Administrative Bodies

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• Viceroyalty served as highest level of colonial government in New Spain
  • Viceroy appointed by Spanish Crown acted as representative of the monarch
  • Held executive, judicial, and military powers
  • Oversaw administration of vast territories (included present-day Mexico, parts of North and Central America)
• Audiencia functioned as high court and advisory body to the viceroy
  • Comprised judges (oidores) appointed by the Crown
  • Heard appeals from lower courts and advised viceroy on legal matters
  • Served as a check on viceregal power, reporting directly to the Council of the Indies

Council of the Indies: Overarching Governance

• Council of the Indies (Consejo de Indias) operated as supreme governing body for Spanish colonies
  • Established in 1524 by Charles V to centralize colonial administration
  • Located in Spain, separate from colonial territories
  • Advised the monarch on colonial affairs and legislation
  • Appointed high-ranking colonial officials (viceroys, governors, judges)
  • Served as final court of appeal for colonial legal cases

Real Hacienda: Financial Administration

• Real Hacienda managed colonial finances and tax collection
  • Organized collection of various taxes and tributes (alcabala, quinto real)
  • Oversaw royal monopolies on certain goods (mercury, tobacco)
  • Administered sale of public offices (sistema de ventas)
  • Managed remittances of colonial wealth to Spain
  • Played crucial role in funding Spanish imperial projects and wars

Local Government

Cabildo: Municipal Governance

• Cabildo functioned as town council in Spanish colonial cities
  • Composed of elected regidores (councilors) and appointed officials
  • Managed local affairs (public works, markets, law enforcement)
  • Issued local ordinances and regulations
  • Served as link between colonial subjects and higher levels of government
• Cabildos often dominated by local elites (criollos, peninsulares)
  • Positions on council could be purchased, leading to concentration of power

Corregidor and Alcalde Mayor: Regional Administration

• Corregidor appointed by Crown to oversee administration of rural districts
  • Collected taxes and tributes from indigenous communities
  • Enforced labor obligations (repartimiento)
  • Acted as judge in local disputes
• Alcalde mayor served similar function in larger towns and cities
  • Appointed by viceroy or audiencia
  • Combined judicial and administrative roles
  • Oversaw local economic activities and trade
• Both positions often associated with corruption and abuse of power
  • Officials used positions for personal enrichment through various schemes (repartimiento de mercancías)

Social Structure

Two Republics System: Racial Segregation and Governance

• Two Republics system divided colonial society into separate spheres
  • República de Españoles (Republic of Spaniards) included Europeans and their descendants
    • Governed by Spanish law and institutions
    • Enjoyed greater legal rights and economic opportunities
  • República de Indios (Republic of Indians) comprised indigenous populations
    • Maintained some traditional forms of governance under Spanish oversight
    • Subject to tribute payments and labor obligations
• System aimed to protect indigenous populations while maintaining social hierarchy
  • Prohibited Spaniards from settling in indigenous towns without permission
  • Allowed some degree of indigenous self-governance (cabildos de indios)
• Created complex racial categories and social stratification
  • Emergence of sistema de castas to classify mixed-race individuals
  • Social mobility limited by racial categorization
• Two Republics system gradually broke down over time
  • Increased racial mixing and urbanization blurred lines between republics
  • Economic changes and reforms in late colonial period weakened traditional divisions