The Spanish Empire

The Spanish Empire in Latin America originated in the voyages of Christopher Columbus through the West on his quest for spice-trade. Columbus discovered the New World for The Castile Crown. Soon, as the kings take into account the importance of these territories, provide from the Casa de la Contratación, new discovering voyages all along the coast, the whole inside of the new continent and the Pacific Ocean isles: Marianas, Carolinas an Philippines.

Due to the great extension of the Indies, it is necessary to create a political organization to administrate such vast territories. The Council of the Indies settles at the Peninsula to advise the king on governmental, justice and overseas affairs. In Latin America the most important governmental institutions were the Viceroyalties, the Royal Audience and the Town Council. Each of these will be further discussed.