Colonial Heritage and Latin American Independence

Colonial Heritage and Latin American Wars of Independence

• The Spanish Empire's origins, the transition to the Bourbon dynasty, and the political/administrative structure profoundly shaped the Latin American wars of independence.

Bourbon Reforms and Independence

• Latin American independence stemmed, in part, from a series of Bourbon reforms.
• Despite the inevitable path to independence, its early 19th-century onset was largely unforeseen.

Race, Economics, and Social Control

• Factors like race, silver mining, social control, and slavery sustained colonial order and influenced the independence movement.
• Economic freedom is strongly associated with freedom.
• The idea of liberalism transitioning into neocolonialism is a key consideration.

Spanish Empire Evolution

• Columbus's voyages, the Treaty of Tordesillas, and the Spanish monarchy's focus on evangelization played significant roles.
• Cortez's conquest of the Aztecs (Tenochtitlan) in 1522 was a pivotal event.

18th-Century Spanish Empire

• The Spanish Empire greatly expanded in the Americas during the 18th century, although native peoples technically retained control of their land.
• The Spanish also claimed territories in North America and portions of the Amazon basin.
• Efforts were made to regain political and economic dominance lost in the 17th century.

Spanish Empire Prior to 1700

• The Habsburg monarchy's centralized rule contrasted with a decentralized political structure across the various kingdoms.
• Two major viceroyalties (New Spain and Peru) held significant administrative authority.
• Colonial governance maintained the fiction of consent from the colonies.
• The white Creole elite actively participated in colonial politics and religion but were not always politically aligned with the crown.
• A legal organization existed dividing colonial society into the "Republic of Indians" and "Republic of Spaniards," upholding the rights of indigenous land. Over time, these divisions blurred leading to the eventual disintegration of indigenous land rights.
• Powerful religious orders, particularly the Jesuits, had significant economic and political influence and were closely associated with the colonial elite.
• Extensive silver mining, particularly in Potosi, drove the Spanish economy initially but eventually declined as silver deposits dwindled.
• Spain faced numerous external challenges, including conflicts in Europe and internal population decline, economic struggles, and low colonial tax revenue.

18th-Century Political Turmoil

• The War of the Spanish Succession led to the Bourbon dynasty's ascension.
• Bourbon monarchs implemented the Bourbon Reforms, aiming to restore Spain's global influence.

Bourbon Reforms and Impacts

• Bourbon reforms shifted towards centralism and enlightened despotism.
• Political power shifted away from creole elites toward royal officials, and there was greater governmental control over the Church.
• Mercantilism increased, with Spain focusing on exporting raw materials.
• Spain and France formed a strategic alliance.

Political and Administrative Structure

• The Spanish Empire had a complex structure, with the King at the apex, followed by the Council of the Indies and Casa de Contratación, managing policy and trade.
• Viceroyalties, audiencias, corregimientos, and city councils were crucial in executing governance.
• Shifting political elites affected territorial divisions.
• After the Spanish were removed those elites fought among themselves.

Napoleonic Wars Impact

• The Napoleonic Wars caused significant disruption in the Spanish colonial system due to the removal of the king.
• The structure had significant issues.