Governing the Spanish Empire in the Western Hemisphere
Life in colonial New Spain [Spanish colonies] was complex — the dominant institutions and cultural patterns were Spanish in origin, but they were modified in their New World setting. Society was not static; evolution marked the political and religious systems; and change was a feature of the economic, social, and intellectual life. These adaptations generally mirrored developments in Europe, the source of basic decisions and control. During its three centuries as a colony, New Spain was kept subservient to the mother country in a number of ways, beginning with an enforced loyalty to the crown. . . .
In New Spain itself the viceroy [governor] was the ranking officer and agent of royal
Life in colonial New Spain [Spanish colonies] was complex — the dominant institutions and cultural patterns were Spanish in origin, but they were modified in their New World setting. Society was not static; evolution marked the political and religious systems; and change was a feature of the economic, social, and intellectual life. These adaptations generally mirrored developments in Europe, the source of basic decisions and control. During its three centuries as a colony, New Spain was kept subservient to the mother country in a number of ways, beginning with an enforced loyalty to the crown. . . .
In New Spain itself the viceroy [governor] was the ranking officer and agent of royal