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Government Structure
The Spanish empire has come down to history as one of the most successful. Its success was primarily focused on the region’s rich resources. [1]Its vast empire was known to be an urban civilization spreading throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Increasing in population and in political corruption, it became necessary for the Spanish to establish a central governmental system to keep the people intact.
As the empire grew in size, the Spanish monarchy began taking control in governing its people. With the conquistadors abusing their powers, the Spanish crown developed the New Law of 1542, which stated that the conquistadors and their later generations had no right to the Native American’s goods and services. By 1570, all conquistadors were under the rule of the Spanish crown. Along with that, the Spanish monarchy created a bureaucratic system controlled by lawyers who had legislative and administrative power. [2]This group of people was commonly known as the Council of the Indies, a dominant governing body in Spain. Lands were split into provinces in places where the Spaniards had conquered. This allowed for the role of viceroyalties (king’s representatives) to implement the king’s policies into the lands that they controlled. As executive officers, the viceroys also held judicial and legislative powers.[3] Their responsibilities included tax collection and construction of public works. Under the power of the viceroys were the audiencias (provincial or territorial high court), who also exercised military power as well as judicial and political functions. Audiencias served as assistants of the viceroys but took on vice regal powers when the viceroys aren’t doing their job in fostering Catholic faith, implementing royal orders, and defending the population. Audencias ensured that viceroyalties followed the king’s policies and didn’t become too independent or too powerful. They also had the right to hear cases and appeals, review the viceroys’ term, and report any concern to the king if they had any. Officials that generally ruled over lands were often chosen from Spain, but as time proceeded, more and more of the local elite gained the right of authority.
During the time of colonization, the Spanish government was also influenced by the religion held by the church. The Catholic Church held an influential power in the government when matters were closely related to moral values, such as the treatment of Native Americans.
With the uprising growth and power of the Spanish empire, it became necessary for the implementation of a government structure that would organize and manage their settlers.
[1] Eric Foner, Give me Liberty: An American History, 3rd ed. (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011), 31
[2]libid.,27.
[3] “ Colonial Administration in Latin America,” Latin American Studies, accessed February 17,2014, http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/colonial/colonial-administration.htm