Between 1601 and 1810, the historical period known as the Colony was developed in our country. During this time, the first characteristics of our nation and the Chilean identity were forged. The protagonism of the foreign discoverers and conquerors gave way to an emergent society that was starting to organize itself both politically and economically and also culturally, always under the watchful eye of the Spanish crown.
Little by little, the men born in the territory formed a new human group. The Mestizo population, which was the mix between Spanish and the Indians, was increasingly growing, thus consolidating the foundation of Chilean society. Two centuries worth of organization, indigenous conflicts, foundation of cities and progress, would be the anteroom of the independentist hustle and bustle that would come to pass starting from1810.
Colonial Institutionality
After the conquest of the territory, the administrative organization was necessary as well as the establishment of small institutional and social cores functioning under the parameters and rules of the Spanish crown.
Once peace was reached in a large part of the territory (we will talk later about what happened to the south of the Bio-Bio river), it was imperative to organize the population. Rules that could also consider the evolution of society and the development of new and important actors: the men born in the «Kingdom of Chile». They started to get involved in various matters such as economy, politics, and even defending of the country.
Because the majority of the new territories conquered were under Hispanic jurisdiction, the main colonial institutions remained in the Old Continent. After the sovereign and divine figure of the king, were the Royal and Supreme Council of the Indies and the House of Trade, which were important organizations that governed the Spanish colonies. While the Council of Indies was developing the regulatory body of the new territories, it was also designating the authorities and granting the last resort rulings on judicial matters, the House of Trade was revising all the commercial matters of the New World and also controlling the flow of people towards it.
American Administration
Although the most important governmental institutions were located in Spain, it was also necessary to install an organizational network in America. To make the administration of the colonies more effective, different territorial divisions were created, such as the viceroyalties and the general captaincies.
The viceroyalties corresponded to the most extensive territories and were governed by the Viceroy. This was the greatest incarnation of the Monarch in the colonies, possessing broad attributions concerning the direction of the zone under his ruling. His duty was to watch over the administration on government, judicial, ecclesiastical and economical matters. Important tasks such as the distribution of lands, looking after the foundation of the cities, boosting the development of public works and the management of the fiscal money were directly related to his position.
The governorates were smaller divisions according to territory, but not less important. They could also be general captaincies. The latter had the particularity of being partially conquered territories, so they were under the command of a military chief, who also held the civil and judicial power. Chile was part of this category.
Finally, the presidencies were small governments on pacified lands, such as Quito (Ecuador) and Charcas (known today as the territory of Bolivia)
The Royal Audience
The Spanish crown designated the Royal Audience as the main civil justice and criminal court in America. Its objective was to look after the fulfillment and the interpretation of the laws; however, after the promulgation of the laws of 1542 and 154 (New Laws), it was able to get involved in government matters. In this way, it managed the work done by the governors, and also deducted power from them. The Royal Audiences were integrated by a president (who could be the viceroy, the governor or a dean judge), four adjudicators or judges, rapporteurs and a prosecutor. Other officials with fewer responsibilities also formed part of them, such as the lieutenant of the great chancellor, the sheriff, the court clerks, receptors and attorneys.
The verdicts of the Royal Audience were almost unappealable. The majority of the processes were concluded on that instance; only the processes of greater importance and controversy were presented before the Council of Indies.
The first audience established in America is known as Santo Domingo, in 1511. In our country, it was established for the first time in 1565, in the city of Concepcion. Its objective was to follow closely the events that occurred in Arauco. It ceased to operate in 1573 and it was reestablished in 1604, setting its headquarters in Santiago. It operated in Santiago until the year 1811, and it was replaced by the republican institutionality.
Civic Institution
The Cabildo was the organism that ruled the administrative matters of each city. This organization looked after the interests of the community and tried to solve the problems that affected it, on diverse matters such as the cleanliness, embellishment, management of public assets, etc. It dictated regulations for a good coexistence and also adjusted the prices of some of the products of basic need, such as bread.
However, its labors did not finish there. In addition to regulating the correct functioning of the settlements, the cabildos represented the opinions of the citizens before the king. If any controversies related to the implementation of any royal ruling emerged, they had the right to a plea, through which a request to change the legal provision was made to the king. Another right of the citizens was that of representation, where a direct intervention was requested on royal matters affecting the community or the creation of institutions was requested to help the solving of the conflicts.
Additionally, as the regulators, the cabildos managed the fiscal lands (authorizing its commercial use) and were the owners of the market, slaughterhouse and the landfills. They also looked after the functioning of the public prison, local security and maintenance of the public order.
Questionable governments
If we compare the governors who commanded the fate of our country during the XVII century with those of the XVIII century, we will find that there is an enormous difference between the ruling context, their ways to manage the government and the true motivations that existed on their actions.
During the XVII century, our country was just organizing itself politically and the center of attention was centered on the Arauco conflict. It was necessary then, to count with an important government figure capable of channeling the country’s fate. However, the first colonial century was notable for having several governors of questionable reputation that only wanted personal benefit, contrary to social wellbeing.
Such was the case of Antonio de Acuña y Cabrera, designated acting governor in 1650, who during his administration organized violent incursions into mapuche territory just to capture prisoners and later sell them as slaves. There is also the questionable performance of Francisco Meneses Brito, who was worried about personal businesses and the economic security of his relatives. He did little to run the nation.
