Properly known as the Viceroyalty of New Spain, this was a territorial entity in North America (including the center and south of what is now the United States as well as Mexico), Central America, the Antilles, and even the Philippines. This territory was part of the Spanish empire between the 16th and 19th centuries and began after the fall of Mexico-Tenochtitlán, capital of the Mexica empire.
The viceroyalty in New Spain
Its territorial division was officially formed on March 8, 1535 and its first viceroy, appointed by the then King of Spain, Fernando V, was Antonio de Mendoza y Pacheco.
Likewise, the capital of the viceroyalty was Mexico City, built in the European style, with Western institutions, such as the Catholic Church, a mint, and town halls; all with the aim of consolidating Spanish rule in the region while eliminating any vestige of pre-Hispanic civilizations.
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Castes of New Spain society
In the decades following colonization, three main social groups were distinguished: whites, Spaniards born in the Old World or born in America, called criollos; the indigenous of the original peoples; and the blacks, slaves brought from Africa.
Likewise, the mixture of these three groups gave rise to 16 castes, a classification of people, who, according to their lineage, occupied a place in viceregal society. Obviously the Spaniards were at the top, and below, all the others: Creoles, mestizos, mulattoes, Moors, etc.
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Economic activities in New Spain
Mining could be considered the predominant economic activity. In the same way, agriculture and cattle ranching were important for the economy of the Colony; Wheat, sugar cane and rice were planted with new agricultural techniques.
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Political organization
The viceroyalty was made up of various kingdoms, captain-generals and lordships, with mayors and corregidores; all under the command of the viceroy, the highest authority in New Spain, who only obeyed the orders of the king of Spain.
Finally, after three centuries and 62 viceroys, the viceroyalty of New Spain came to an end in the 19th century. The last viceroys were Francisco Javier Venegas, who faced the beginning of the armed struggle for independence in 1810; and Juan O’Donojú, who was not properly a viceroy but rather the superior political leader of New Spain, appointed and deposed in 1821.
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Map of New Spain
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