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Questions and Answers
What was the general administrative philosophy of Viceroy Velasco?
What was the general administrative philosophy of Viceroy Velasco?
What was a significant factor that granted viceroys a degree of autonomy in decision-making?
What was a significant factor that granted viceroys a degree of autonomy in decision-making?
What phrase did viceroys use when they felt a crown order was counter to the best interests of the colony?
What phrase did viceroys use when they felt a crown order was counter to the best interests of the colony?
What aspect did the Spanish Crown prioritize more than competence in its colonial administrators?
What aspect did the Spanish Crown prioritize more than competence in its colonial administrators?
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Why did the Spanish Crown relinquish some control to local elites?
Why did the Spanish Crown relinquish some control to local elites?
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What was the primary role of the viceroy within the colonial administration?
What was the primary role of the viceroy within the colonial administration?
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What was the main focus of a royal inspector (visitador) during their investigation?
What was the main focus of a royal inspector (visitador) during their investigation?
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How did the crown ensure the viceroy and other officials were held accountable?
How did the crown ensure the viceroy and other officials were held accountable?
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What was the distinguishing feature of a 'visita' conducted under incognito conditions?
What was the distinguishing feature of a 'visita' conducted under incognito conditions?
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What was the purpose of a 'residencia' at the conclusion of an official's term?
What was the purpose of a 'residencia' at the conclusion of an official's term?
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What was a common issue within the Spanish colonial administration in the early years?
What was a common issue within the Spanish colonial administration in the early years?
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What was a key factor that contributed to the corruption within the Spanish colonial administration?
What was a key factor that contributed to the corruption within the Spanish colonial administration?
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What was the primary demographic that occupied the position of viceroy in New Spain?
What was the primary demographic that occupied the position of viceroy in New Spain?
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What approach did the Spanish Crown initially take toward the misdeeds of the early colonists?
What approach did the Spanish Crown initially take toward the misdeeds of the early colonists?
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Which of the following best describes the role of the Viceroy Mendoza and Luis De Velasco, in the early Spanish colony?
Which of the following best describes the role of the Viceroy Mendoza and Luis De Velasco, in the early Spanish colony?
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Study Notes
The Imperial System Entrenched
- Viceroy Mendoza's administration philosophy was "do little and do it slowly"
- Early viceroys had considerable autonomy due to communication difficulties and delays in receiving royal instructions
- Colonial officials often made rulings pending royal approval, leading to a delay in government processes
- The Hapsburg policy prioritized loyalty over competence, leading to relinquishing control to local elites to maintain peace
- Government was inefficient due to a complex bureaucracy and detailed reports
- Crown officials were exposed to a variety of opinions from various parties regarding colonial administration
- Royal inspectors (visitadores) were sent for on-the-spot investigations
- Visitadores had considerable authority and took over the colony for the duration of their inspection
- Visitadores were usually men trained in law, tasked with correcting abuses and instituting reforms
- Residencia, judicial reviews, were held at the end of an official's term, to judge their performance
- Visitadores and residencias were supposed to create good governance but rarely punished officials for corruption
- Officials were forbidden from encomiendas and commercial activities, preventing conflicts of interest
- Crown satisfaction focused on maintaining peace and receiving remittances, leading to rampant corruption
- Public offices were sold, leading to further corruption
- Viceroys were usually high-born Spaniards
- Early viceroys like Mendoza and Luis de Velasco were competent administrators
- Later viceroys suffered from palace intrigues and corruption
- Corregidores, alcaldes mayores or gobernadores administered smaller districts, often with limited training and poor pay, supplementing their salaries by cheating lower-class groups
Disturbances During the "Colonial Siesta"
- Spanish imperial system was established by the middle of the 16th century, but challenges to Spanish hegemony came from both inside and outside New Spain
- Internal challenges were present at all societal levels
- Elite plotted rebellion when their interests were threatened (e.g., in the 1560s)
- Internal conflicts frequently erupted between different groups
- Urban riots were commonly triggered by food shortages and price issues
- Natural calamities like earthquakes and floods impacted the region
- Public protests and violence were prevalent aspects of colonial administration
- Indigenous groups resisted Spanish expansion, using established hierarchies and traditions to defend themselves
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Description
This quiz explores the complexities of colonial administration during the Hapsburg period, focusing on the roles of viceroys, visitadores, and the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the time. Learn about the balance of power between local elites and royal authorities, and the mechanics of governance that shaped colonial experiences.
