How did the Spanish crown govern colonial Chile?

During the colonial period, the Spanish crown governed Chile through administrative and religious systems shared with other parts of the empire, though the colony’s relative poverty often resulted in the appointment of mediocre officials until the 18th century.1

The highest royal official in the colony was the captain-general, who held absolute power. Because Chile faced significant military challenges—specifically the ongoing resistance of the Mapuche on the Araucanian frontier—it was designated a captaincy general. While nominally under the jurisdiction of the viceroy in Peru, the captain-general maintained a direct relationship with the king and the Council of the Indies in Madrid due to the region's military requirements and geographic distance.12

Key aspects of this governance included:
* Economic Control: Chilean trade was tightly regulated from Peru, and the crown provided annual subsidies to maintain the army and colonial officials, as the colony was considered a deficit area.1
* Religious Influence: The Roman Catholic Church played a decisive role in secular affairs and held a monopoly on education.1
* Judicial Oversight: The captain-general presided over the regional audiencia (court and administrative board), though they generally did not participate in judicial functions unless legally trained.2