How did the laws of the Indies allow Spain to keep strict control over its colonies

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History

Timothy Hurst

3 May, 16:33

How did the laws of the Indies allow Spain to keep strict control over its colonies

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Jennifer Rivera · Answer 1

Laws of the Indies, the entire body of law promulgated by the Spanish crown during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries for the government of its kingdoms (colonies) outside Europe, chiefly in the Americas; more specifically, a series of collections of decrees (cedulas) compiled and published by royal authorization, culminating in the Recopilación de las leyes de los reinos de Indias (1680). From the beginning of the colonization of the Americas, Castilian law constituted the basic private law in the colonies, but, because special conditions prevailed there, the Spanish crown legislated specifically for the Indies (America), in the area of public law. Thus, an important aspect of such legislation was the adaptation of Castilian administrative and judicial institutions to the governmental needs of the New World. The Laws of Burgos issued on Dec. 27, 1512, by Ferdinand II, the Catholic, regulated relations between Spaniards and the conquered Indians, particularly to ensure the spiritual and material welfare of the latter, who were often severely treated. The New Laws of the Indies (1542) of Charles I, which sought to correct the inadequacies of the previous code, met with armed resistance from the American colonists and were reissued in a weaker version in 1552. In the same year a commercial code was promulgated for the Casa de Contratación (Board of Trade). In 1563 the powers and procedures of the colonial audiencias (courts) were defined. The Ordinances Concerning Discoveries, issued in 1573, forbade unauthorized operations against independent Indian peoples.

Ruth Burgess · Answer 2

Spanish crown promulgated an entire body of law; which regulated the relations of the Spaniards and the colonists in the area of public law.

Explanation:

The law of Burgos issued on Decembre 27th 1512, regulated relations between Spaniards and the conquered indians to ensure the spiritual and material welfare of the latter, who were usually severely treated by Spaniards and owners of the land.