Bourbon Reforms in New Spain

Bourbon Reforms in New Spain

• The late 17th-century Spanish monarchy was weak, with Philip V (Bourbon) inheriting a feeble ruler in 1695.
• Philip V's reign saw Bourbon reforms aimed at strengthening Spain's administration, economy, and military.
• Bourbon reforms in Spain sought to centralize authority and improve the nation's finances. Similarly, colonial administration was restructured.

Early Bourbon Reforms

• The Bourbons aimed to improve Spain's finances by centralizing royal authority.
• They also sought to revitalize the Spanish economy, which had declined under the previous Habsburg dynasty.
• Reforms included strengthening the army and navy and improving the administration of colonies.
• Prior to this, much colonial trade was in the hands of non-Spanish merchants.

Colonial Economic Reforms

• Philip V took measures to revive Spain's economy, including administrative and financial reforms.
• One of the reforms was to streamline the process of collection of taxes to improve efficiency.
• The Spanish silver production played a huge role in the economy.
• Bourbon reforms aimed to improve and restructure the tax structure, increase efficiency and make collection more effective.
• Increased control was gained of the colonies' mining and agricultural economies to extract more wealth.

Colonial Administration

• The Bourbons aimed to improve the Spanish colonies' administration and efficiency.
• They increased the presence of royal officials to impose a higher level of control.
• Reforms aimed to tighten administrative control and reduce the influence of local elites.
• Colonies were reorganized under administrative and military commandancies.

Church Reforms

• The Bourbon reforms targeted the Catholic Church's power and influence in Spanish colonies.
• The Crown aimed to reduce the Church's economic and political power. Jesuits were expelled because of their perceived political ties and wealthy lands.
• Bourbon reforms aimed to streamline and improve the administration of the Church.

Effects of Bourbon Reforms

• The Bourbon reforms resulted in significant changes in New Spain, including administrative restructuring and economic reforms.
• The effects included population growth, increased silver production, and improved transportation.
• There were downsides such as increased tension or conflict with the indigenous population and possible economic imbalances and inequality in the colonies.
• The economic restructuring led to changes in colonial production, trade, and the role of indigenous populations, and the increased presence of new royal officials to impose higher levels of control.

This quiz explores the Bourbon Reforms initiated by Philip V in New Spain during the late 17th century. It covers the centralization of authority, economic revitalization efforts, and the restructuring of colonial administration aimed at strengthening Spain's power. Test your knowledge on how these reforms impacted the administration and economy of Spanish colonies.