|  In
1519 the Spaniards conquered Mexico. This led to the formation
of a new state called New Spain and later into a new hybrid culture.
Several military expeditions were led to extend ‘New Spain’.
The whole of Central America, West Indies, Philippines, and parts
of the current Texas and California were later conquered to become
part of New Spain. The Spanish political control over Mexico lasted
for three centuries.
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The entire region was formed
into a viceroyalty in 1535. The colony was divided into provinces
ruled by governors. These provinces were divided into departments
and subdivided into districts. Magistrates controlled the districts
and mayors led smaller villages. The parliament court handled
all political matters and the Council of Indies controlled the
other administrative matters. Off course the supreme authority
over the Spanish empire belonged to the king. This system was
pretty inefficient as it took several years for directives from
the king to be implemented at the lower levels.
 During
the initial administration, grants called Encomiendas were given
to colonists, which controlled Indian labor and produce. This
led to the misuse of power and atrocities against the Indians
increased. The Indians revolted against the Spaniards in 1541
but were easily subdued. The Spanish emperor Charles V, initiated
the decline of the Encomienda system in 1542. This decline saw
the immergence of the Roman Catholic Church. The church was successful
in carrying out mass conversions. The Spaniards protected the
Indians that converted. Missions and monasteries dominated much
of the land.
The Spaniards thrived by the new found wealth in the colonies.
They amassed huge wealth by controlling silver mining, large ranches
and estates that grew wheat, sugarcane, and indigo for export.
Spanish merchants exported such goods as cotton, silk, and dye
that were produced by the Indians.
The prosperity of New Spain began to decline
in the 17th century. Disease and natural disasters destroyed most
of the Indian population. Most others migrated slowly to remote
parts. Mines were abandoned and large areas of farmland were destroyed.
The economy of New Spain collapsed. In 1810, a catholic priest
named Miguel Hidalgo called upon Mexicans to rise up and fight
the Spanish. Although father Hidalgo was killed, another priest
Jose Morelos continued to lead the fighting. New Spain finally
won its independence from Spain in 1810 and came to be called
Mexico.
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