Colonial Latin America - Key Terms (Chapter 3)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on Colonial Latin America, focusing on political, religious, and economic structures in the early modern period.

Quinto

The Crown's royal fifth; a tax of one-fifth (20%) of precious metals and other wealth extracted from the colonies.

Charles I

King of Spain who ruled during the early colonial period and oversaw the division of the New World into viceroyalties.

Philip II

King of Spain who centralized colonial administration after Charles I and continued imperial consolidation.

Viceroy

Royal official who governs a viceroyalty on behalf of the Crown.

Viceroyalty

Major administrative division in Spanish America ruled by a viceroy.

Audiencia

Regional high court and governing body that advised the viceroy and administered justice.

Council of the Indies

The principal Spanish body overseeing colonial policy and legislation.

Viceroyalty of New Spain

Viceroyalty covering central Mexico and surrounding territories.

Viceroyalty of Peru

Viceroyalty covering much of the Andean region and Peru.

Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata

Viceroyalty in the southern cone including present-day Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

Encomienda

Land/people grant to conquistadors that allowed tribute and labor extraction from Indigenous communities.

Encomendero

Holder of an encomienda; responsible for administering labor and tribute.

Hacienda

Large landed estate that evolved from encomiendas; center of economic production.

Hacendado

Owner of a hacienda.

Caciques

Indigenous community leaders recognized by colonial authorities.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

A central Catholic icon symbolizing colonial religious identity and Catholic authority.

Residencia

End-of-term audit of colonial officials to assess performance and conduct.

Visita

Royal inspection of towns or districts to enforce laws and extract information.

Real Hacienda

Crown's royal treasury and tax administration in the colonies.

Patronato Real (Royal Patronage)

Crown authority over colonial church matters, including appointment of bishops.

Oidor

Judicial officer (magistrate) in an Audiencia.

Ouvidor

Royal official who oversaw administration and handled complaints (ombudsman-like role).

Society of Jesus

Jesuit order; active in missions, education, and intellectual life in the Americas.

Inquisition in the Americas

Religious tribunal enforcing Catholic orthodoxy across the colonies.

Obedezco pero no cumplo

I obey but I do not execute; phrase describing compliance in form but not in substance.