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
Top images from around the web for Viceroyalty and Audiencia: Key Administrative Bodies Viceroyalty of New Spain - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Viceroyalty of New Spain 1789.png - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Viceroyalty of New Spain - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Viceroyalty and Audiencia: Key Administrative Bodies Viceroyalty of New Spain - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Viceroyalty of New Spain 1789.png - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Viceroyalty of New Spain - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
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