What was New Spain?

The Viceroyalty of New Spain was the first of four viceroyalties established by Spain to govern its colonial territories in the New World. Established in 1535 with its capital in Mexico City, it served as the administrative center for Spanish rule in North America and beyond.12

At its height, the jurisdiction of New Spain was vast, encompassing:
* Modern-day Mexico and Central America (north of the Isthmus of Panama).12
* The southwestern and central portions of the United States, including California, Texas, and Florida.13
* Spain’s Caribbean possessions and, beginning in 1565, the Philippines.12

Governed by a viceroy appointed by the Spanish king, the administration oversaw an economy primarily driven by mining and ranching. While the colonial period saw the development of educational institutions and the spread of Christianity, it also resulted in the catastrophic decline of the Indigenous population due to disease, maltreatment, and cultural disruption. The viceroyalty lasted until 1821, when it collapsed following the successful movement for Mexican independence.132