Spanish Monarchy Consolidation and American Administration

Domestic Affairs and Centralization

Domestic affairs focused on centralizing power:

• Elimination of the feudal nobles' powers and jurisdictions.
• Control over the bourgeoisie through courts and magistrates.
• Control over the clergy via royal patronage.

Ethnic unity efforts included seeking the expulsion of the Jews in 1492 and the Moors in 1495.

Government Institutions

Administrative Reforms

• Reform of the Council of Castile.
• Creation of the Holy Brotherhood.
• Establishment of a tax system using the sales tax and generalizing the magistrates.

Religious Control

• The establishment of the Inquisition.
• Assertion of royal prerogative over ecclesiastical appointments.
• Expulsion of the Jews.

Military and Judicial Changes

• Military orders became managed by the kings.
• Codification of the laws.

American Colonial Government

Governance in the Americas was managed by royal officials. The Indian Board received papal authority granting the Kings control over the church through bishop appointments. The House of Trade, founded in Seville, regulated commerce with America and imposed levies.

Commercial and Administrative Structure

The Fleet System involved escort ships docking every six months in American ports to unload and load gold products. Administration was organized through:

• Viceroyalties.
• Municipalities and governorates (corregimientos).
• A judicial system based on the audiencias (hearings).

Resource Exploitation Systems

Resources were exploited through two main systems:

1. The Mita: Forcing indigenous people into labor in the mines.
2. The Distributions (allocation of Indians to work in the field) and Parcels (evangelization of Indians in exchange for defense from abuse and payment for their field labor).

Carlos V further instructed the Indian Board and the viceroys.

Impact of Consolidation and Conquests

Social Consequences

There was an extensive population movement, with many Spaniards abandoning the peninsula to seek fortune in the New World. Movement of personnel was also significant.

Economic Effects

The Crown received much of the wealth; however, wars meant these revenues were short-lived as they were needed to pay mercenaries. Pirates caused significant havoc on the ships transporting wealth.

Political Transition

This period marked a transition from a state to establishing itself as an empire, thanks to the legacy of Charles V of Germany and the American conquests.

Religious Defense

Many voices rose in defense of the Indians because abuse and inhuman treatment were often hidden under the cloak of evangelization.