Mexico and Central America 1789 CE

What is happening in Mexico and Central America in 1789CE

The viceroyalty of New Spain is an enormous administrative division of the Spanish empire. It comprises all of present-day Mexico, plus most of central America and the western parts of the present-day USA, as well as the Philippines.

The colonial societies that have arisen in the Spanish-ruled lands of Mexico and central America are extremely hierarchical ones. The demarcations lie largely along racial lines. At the top are the Spanish-born officials and soldiers, who monopolize all senior positions in the service of the Spanish crown. Beneath them are the creoles – people of Spanish descent but born in the colonies. Many of these are descended from the original conquistadores, and own the vast landed estates assigned to their ancestors.

Below them are the mestizos, of mixed Spanish and Indian blood, who fulfil the more menial roles in the economy. Finally, at the bottom, are the native Indian populations. The great majority of these work as landless peasants for creole landowners.

Next map, Mexico and Central America in 1837