Governing the Province Governing the Province – Viceroys Appointed representation to the King Appointed representation to the King Maintained strict rule Maintained strict rule – Spreading of Christianity Just as important to the Spanish as gaining land Just as important to the Spanish as gaining land – Controlling trade Silver and Gold Silver and Gold Colonist could only buy Spanish goods Colonist could only buy Spanish goods – Encomienda The right given by the King of Spain to demand labor from the Native Americans The right given by the King of Spain to demand labor from the Native Americans – Worked under brutal conditions Resistors were killed Resistors were killed Disease, starvation and torturous conditions caused the decline of the Native American population Disease, starvation and torturous conditions caused the decline of the Native American population

Cultural Blending Cultural Blending – Mixing of cultures Society and Cities Society and Cities – Cities Center for Government, Commerce, Culture and Education Center for Government, Commerce, Culture and Education – Social Classes Peninsulares Peninsulares – Born in Spain, Highest in society ( Peninsulares refers to the Iberian Peninsula) Creoles Creoles – American Born descendents of Spain » Owned plantations, ranches and mines Mestizos Mestizos – People of European and Native American descent Mulattos Mulattos – People of European and African decent Native Americans and Africans Native Americans and Africans