DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNAL COMMERCIAL NETWORKS IN NEW SPAIN - HISTORY - 2025

The development of internal commercial networks in New Spain had its peak in the mid-18th century, when the Creoles exploited the commercial activity of their lands. Minerals, brandy and some fabrics were massively marketed, not only in the region of origin, but also in other parts of the viceroyalty.

These materials were transported from one place to another through royal roads, which marked the beginning of the development of internal markets in the viceroyalty. Furthermore, the power of English, Dutch and French fleets in the Caribbean areas in the mid-18th century was to the detriment of the Spanish Empire.

Marketing of mining in New Spain

Consequently, the imperial Crown demanded from each of its viceroyalty more and more resources, which in one way or another greatly boosted economic activity in the region.

Origin of the commercial liberation of New Spain

Spain maintained its dominion over the lands of the New World in an absolute way, from the beginning of the colonial era until the middle of the 18th century.

By then, the Crown found it necessary to demand a greater economic contribution from its colonies. In response, the viceroyalty of New Spain exploited its agricultural, mining and textile potential.

It was a process developed several decades in advance, given the political and economic context of the time.

Causes

The European threat

Spain fought strong disputes against France and England, debating for the dominance of Spanish possessions in the American continent.

Gradually, England, Holland and France were seizing key territories in the Caribbean, with which the prominence of the Spanish Crown was declining.

Starting in the 1660s, the English seized important territories for trade, such as Belize and Jamaica.

Likewise, the Dutch conquest took place in the middle of the seventeenth century, with the taking of New Amsterdam (now New York), the Lesser Antilles and some areas of Brazil.

The French were not far behind, and between 1500 and 1700 they promoted the conquest of a good section of North America, a territory that at the time they called New France.

They also seized some islands in the Antilles and a small representation in South American territory, which today is known as French Guiana.

The Bourbon reforms

In the middle of 1713 the Bourbon reforms were dictated in New Spain. These administrative measures were intended to limit the range of action of the viceroyalty of New Spain at the political, economic and social level.

Similarly, these reforms sought to delimit the commercial conditions between the Spanish Crown and its provinces in the New World.

The main objective of the Bourbon reforms was to take the reins of the Spanish colonies in all possible aspects, to try to compensate for the loss of power that was taking place in the American territory.

These reforms favored mining activity in New Spain, since the Spanish Empire needed to fill its coffers by exploding metals and precious stones in America. In view of this, the Bourbon dynasty exempted the payment of taxes for the mining industry throughout the viceroyalty of New Spain.

Meanwhile, the rest of the merchants, large Spanish landowners and bourgeoisie in general, had to cancel important sums of taxes to compensate for the exemption of the mining sector.

Expulsion of the Jesuits

Another radical measure was the expulsion of the Society of Jesus in 1767. The Jesuits, who had lived and had extensive contact with the locals, were replaced by Franciscan missionaries.

Development of internal trade in New Spain

At the end of the 18th century, the scene was conducive to the restructuring and development of commercial activity in the viceroyalty of New Spain.

Due to the warlike conflicts that Spain fought during that century, the American colonies were repopulated by Spanish immigrants who sought to escape the conflicts with England, France and Holland.

In addition, the smallpox and typhus epidemics had considerably depleted the population in New Spain. Therefore, the repopulation with immigrants and the birth of new inhabitants promoted significant population growth.

The construction of royal roads

The construction of royal roads was key to the expansion of the internal commercial networks in New Spain.

The Camino de la Plata, also known as the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, was intended to establish a land connection between the mining centers with the highest productivity. This route started from present-day Mexico City to Querétaro. Given its relevance, this path was flattened and paved in its entirety.

At the time it was a road artery for the transfer of all kinds of merchandise through the viceroyalty of New Spain.

Other important royal roads during the viceroyalty were the Camino de los Reyes, the Camino Real de California and the Camino Real de Yucatán.

Development of the mining and textile activity

Mining activity was at its peak and in 1778 the practice of free trade was enacted throughout the territory of New Spain.

The sale of merchandise from Spain increased considerably, the demand for all kinds of products increased and, consequently, prices were increasingly competitive and trade increased progressively.

Similarly, the textile market also experienced significant growth, as the most disadvantaged social systems were unable to purchase imported products.

Consequently, a parallel market developed, provided by slaves and mestizos, who led the constitution of small textile centers called obrajes, where they made shoes, hats, various garments, and even glass and gunpowder.

Consequences

Economic growth

The internal market of the viceroyalty of New Spain was notably strengthened at the end of the 18th century. Not only population growth was evidenced, but also economic growth throughout the entire region.

Several urban centers achieved significant economic growth, such as Zacatecas, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Puebla de los Angeles, Taxco, Mérida and Guanajuato.

Increase in port activity

The peak of port activity in Acapulco, Tampico and Veracruz was very evident.

Use of resources

New Spain reached its economic maturity and learned to take advantage of its own natural and human resources.

Background for social movements

The foregoing reaffirmed the economic liberation of the Spanish colony, and served the table for the social and political movements that occurred during the independence struggle.

References

1. The rise of the New Spain economy (nd). Recovered from: estudioraprender.com
2. Novohispana Economy: Domestic Trade (nd). Recovered from: portalacademico.cch.unam.mx
3. The development of wealth in the new Spain (nd). Recovered from: mexicodesconocido.com.mx
4. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Consolidation of New Spain. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org
5. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2018). Bourbon Reforms in New Spain. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org