HAPSBURG GOVERNANCE

I. Introduction

A. Hapsburgs

1. 16th century: successful imposition of bureaucracy
2. 17th century: few major crises, but loosening grip and rising corruption

B. Bourbons

1. 1701-1714 war of succession
2. 18th century (especially 2nd half) reforms to tighten control over colonies

II. Hapsburg Governance

What accounts for the relative stability of colonial rule from mid-16th-century through the early 18th century?

A. Hierarchy and Flexibility

1. Checks and balances
2. Viceregal discretion: “I obey but do not comply”
3. Taking conflicts to court
4. Increasing creole access to bureaucratic positions

a. sales of offices: corruption
b. repartimiento de comercio (forced sales at fixed prices to indig. Communities)
c. by 1750 almost ½ members of audiencias (high courts) were creole

B. Paternalist Pact and Public Pageantry

1. Pride (honor)
2. Power
3. Patronage

C. Popular Response

1. Diversion and inversion
2. Rituals and Riots

a. “Long live the King and Death to the Bad Government”
b. Gender: inversion, women calling the father to task
c. Mexico City corn riot (1692)

D. Results

1. Corruption; some officials served local over imperial interests
2. Relative stability and king serves unifying, legitimate symbol

III. Bourbon Reforms: Goals and Policies

What were the goals of the Bourbon Reforms and to what extent were they achieved?

A. Economic (Andrien, 95-99)

1. Promote Growth (of exports not local manufacturing)

a. revive mining and diversify exports
b. increase trade and shipping

2. Raise Revenues

a. commodity monopolies
b. Taxes and tribute: increase and improve collection

i. Alcabala (sales tax) 4 to 6%
ii. Close loopholes in tribute system (forasteros)

B. Administrative (Andrien, pp. 66-70)

1. New viceroyalties and audiencias
2. Intendancy system: governors under viceroys (see map, Andrien, p. 68)
3. “Professional” bureaucrats from Spain not creoles
4. Reduce expenditures on civic and religious festivities
5. Crack down on “excesses” of popular culture (e.g. drinking, satirical masques)

IV. Bourbon Reforms: Results and Consequences (See also Andrews. 111-116)

A. For the Spanish Crown

1. Economic: increased trade between Spain and colonies and increased revenues

a. Over the 18th century, trade between Spain and colonies increased 4 to 7 times
b. New Spain: total revenues increased from 6 million pesos in 1765 to 20 million in 1782
c. Peru: Collection of Indian tribute rose from 752,000 pesos in 1785 to 1,300,000 in 1811

2. Administrative: mixed

a. Upper Levels: more effective
b. lower levels (subdelegate): less effective (not salaried, got % of taxes collected, continued repartimientos de comercio)

B. For Colonists

1. Differences by Regions (e.g. Peru vs. La Plata, Caracas, Havana)
2. Differences by class and casta (race)
a. elites: mixed (depends on economic sector), loss of political influence and higher taxes
b. castas: new taxes, consumer monopolies
c. indigenous: closing loopholes on tribute

Questions:

What accounts for the relative stability of colonial rule from late 16th century through the early 18th century?

What were the goals of the Bourbon Reforms and to what extent were they achieved?

I.D. Terms:

Mexico City Corn Riot (1692)

Intendancy System

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