Spanish Colonial Era - Terminologies

The Spanish Colonial Era stands as a treasure trove of diverse terminologies that once governed their colonies. Enclosed within these pages is a compilation of terms that adorned the landscape of that era, offering a valuable resource for history enthusiasts and learners. This collection aims to provide a convenient avenue to delve into the intricate history of the Spanish colonial period. Through these compiled terms, we invite you to unravel the tapestry of the past and discover the layers that shaped our world.

source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empire

Terms	Definition
Adelantado	A military or political leader granted authority to settle and govern territories.
Aduana	Customs house that regulated trade by assessing taxes on imports and exports, ensuring compliance with trade laws, and generating revenue for the colonial administration.
Alcalde	A colonial mayor or magistrate with administrative and judicial authority, responsible for maintaining order, enforcing laws, and overseeing local affairs.
Alcalde de Barrio	Local mayor responsible for a barrio or district.
Alcalde de la Santa Hermandad	Mayor responsible for maintaining public order and security.
Alcalde del Crimen	Criminal judge or magistrate.
Alcalde del Primer Voto	Mayor elected by popular vote.
Alcalde Mayor	High-ranking colonial official with administrative and judicial powers.
Alcalde Mayor de Naturales	High-ranking official responsible for indigenous affairs.
Alcalde ordinario	Ordinary mayor responsible for municipal governance.
Alcalde Provincial	Provincial mayor or governor.
Alguacil	A law enforcement officer in the Spanish colonial era, responsible for maintaining order, executing court orders, and enforcing legal judgments.
Alguacil Mayor	Chief constable or sheriff responsible for enforcing laws.
Asiento	Agreement allowing the transport of enslaved Africans to the colonies.
Audiencia	Royal court of justice and administration in colonial territories.
Audiencia de Manila	Royal audiencia or court of justice in Manila.
Ayuntamiento	A local government council during the Spanish colonial era. It held administrative, judicial, and legislative powers, managing towns or cities. It included officials like the mayor and councilors, helping govern and provide services to the community under Spanish rule.
Bajo Dela Campana	"Under the Bell" in Spanish, refers to a Spanish Colonial practice of placing converted local elites near church bells in newly established towns. This facilitated governance, religious influence, and symbolized allegiance to the Crown. The bells also marked events and were cast in foundries, serving as religious and authoritative symbols.
Bandolerismo	Refers to banditry or the activities of bandits who engaged in illegal and often violent acts, such as robbery and attacks on travelers, during the colonial period.
Caballería	In the context of the colonial era, generally refers to a unit of mounted soldiers, reflecting the importance of cavalry in military operations and colonial defense.
Cabeza de Barangay	Barangay leader responsible for local matters.
Cabildo	Local governing body in Spanish colonial towns, consisting of appointed officials.
Cabildo Abierto	Open council meeting where various issues were discussed.
Cacique	Indigenous community leader or chieftain who often acted as an intermediary between the community and Spanish authorities.

Caciquismo	A colonial system where influential "caciques" held power over indigenous communities, acting as intermediaries between local people and colonial authorities through alliances and patronage.
Capitanía General	Military district headed by a captain-general.
Capitanía General de Filipinas	Military district and administrative division of the Philippines.
Capitulación	A contract from the Spanish crown allowing individuals or groups to explore, conquer, and govern newly discovered territories in the colonial era.
Casa de Contratación	House of Trade, responsible for colonial trade and navigation.
Casta	During the Spanish colonial era, "casta" was a system that categorized people based on their racial ancestry, shaping their social status and privileges.
Caudillo	A powerful leader who often led armed groups, holding authority and influence during the Spanish colonial era, sometimes challenging central rule.
Cedula Real	Royal decree or edict.
Cimarrones	Runaway slaves or indigenous people who escaped Spanish control.
Código de Comercio (Commercial Code)	Legal code regulating commerce and trade.
Código Penal de Indias (Penal Code of the Indies)	Legal code for criminal matters in the colonies.
Comendador	A colonial official appointed to oversee certain duties or tasks.
Compadrazgo	Ritual friendship or spiritual kinship often formed between a Spaniard and an indigenous Filipino.
Conquistador	A Spanish explorer and soldier who played a key role in conquering and establishing Spanish control over new territories during the colonial era.
Consejo de Indias	Council overseeing colonial affairs.
Corregidor	Local magistrate or administrator responsible for maintaining order and justice.
Corregimiento	Administrative division governed by a corregidor.
Cortes de Indias	Spanish advisory council for colonial governance, issuing laws and policies during the colonial era.
Criollos	People of Spanish ancestry born in the colonies.
Cura Parroco	A parish priest during the Spanish Colonial Era. They were responsible for religious services, sacraments, and pastoral care in local communities, playing a key role in spreading Christianity and connecting with both Spanish authorities and indigenous populations.
Encomienda	A system where Spanish crown granted individuals the right to extract tribute and labor from indigenous communities in return for protection and conversion to Christianity.
Fazenda	A large colonial estate where crops, livestock, or minerals were produced for trade, often worked by enslaved individuals or laborers.
Fuero Municipal	Municipal charter or privileges.
Galleon	A big sailing ship used by Spain in the colonial era for trade, exploration, and warfare. It had multiple decks, square sails, and cannons.

Gamonalismo	A system where wealthy landowners, called "gamones," wielded considerable power, often leading to labor exploitation and resource inequality in local communities.
Gobernadorcillo	Local leader in charge of governance and taxation.
Gobernador-General	Highest-ranking official representing the Spanish crown in the colonies.
Guardia Civil	It enforced laws, maintained order, and protected colonial interests, sometimes causing resentment among locals for enforcing colonial policies.
Hacienda	Large agricultural estate owned by Spanish elites, often worked by indigenous and Filipino laborers.
Illustrado	Were educated and wealthy Filipinos during the Spanish Colonial Era who advocated for reforms and played a key role in the country's journey towards independence.
Indio	Term used for indigenous Filipinos during the colonial period.
Indulto	Indulto was a pardon given by colonial authorities to individuals, offering forgiveness or reduced punishment for committed offenses during the Spanish colonial period.
Inquilino	Tenant or renter, particularly in an agricultural context.
Inquisition	A religious authority that investigated and punished heresy and challenges to Catholic beliefs.
Insulares	Spanish-descendant individuals born in the Philippines during the colonial era. They held a middle social status between peninsulares (Spanish-born) and the local population, often in positions of authority."
Intendancy	Administrative division overseen by an intendant.
Intendant	A high-ranking official overseeing regions, managing finances, enforcing policies, and promoting royal interests.
Junta de Comercio	Trade council or board.
Ley de Burgos (Burgos Laws)	Laws aimed at protecting indigenous rights.
Ley de Encomienda (Encomienda Law)	Law regulating the encomienda system.
Ley de Indias de 1680 (Indies Law of 1680)	Collection of laws that regulated the Spanish colonies. Collection of laws for the Indies, including the Philippines.
Ley de Indulto (Law of Pardon)	Law granting pardons and amnesties.
Ley de la Instrucción Pública (Law of Public Instruction)	Law concerning public education.
Ley de la Mesta (Law of the Mesta)	Law regulating sheep farming.
Ley de los Veinticuatros (Law of the Twenty-Four)	Law regulating municipal governments.
Ley de Manila de 1582 (Law of Manila of 1582)	Law regulating administration and governance.
Ley de Manila de 1591 (Law of Manila of 1591)	Law concerning governance and justice.
Ley de Manila de 1593 (Law of Manila of 1593)	Law concerning maritime trade.
Ley de Manila de 1594 (Law of Manila of 1594)	Law concerning taxation.

Ley de Manila de 1595 (Law of Manila of 1595)	Law concerning commerce and navigation.
Ley de Moros (Law of the Moros)	Law regulating relations with Muslim communities.
Ley de Patronato Real (Law of the Royal Patronage)	Law concerning the Spanish crown's control over church matters.
Ley de Polo y Servicio (Law of Polo and Servitude)	Law regulating forced labor system.
Ley de Repartimiento (Repartimiento Law)	Law regulating the repartimiento system.
Ley Sálica (Salic Law)	Law restricting inheritance to male descendants.
Leyes Nuevas (New Laws)	Reforms aimed at protecting indigenous peoples' rights.
Merced	Land grant or concession given by Spanish authorities.
Mestizo	A person of mixed Spanish and indigenous (or other) ancestry.
Mita	A labor draft system during the Spanish colonial era, where indigenous people were required to provide a fixed amount of labor for public projects, mines, or other labor-intensive activities, often without pay.
Mulatto	A person of mixed European and African ancestry during the Spanish colonial era.
Obraje	A textile workshop or factory, often worked by indigenous laborers.
Oidor	A judge in the Spanish colonial era, responsible for hearing cases and upholding governance and justice.
Patronato Real	Royal patronage over church matters.
Peninsulares	People born in Spain, considered of higher status than those born in the colonies.
Polo y Servicio	Forced labor system where indigenous Filipinos were required to work for Spanish authorities.
Procurador	Legal representative or procurator.
Provincia	Administrative province.
Provincia de Ultramar	Overseas province.
Pueblos de Indios	Indigenous settlements or communities.
Real Acuerdo	Council responsible for financial matters in Spanish colonies.
Real Audiencia	A high court in the Spanish colonial era, responsible for administration, justice, and governance. It had jurisdiction over legal cases, appeals, and regulatory matters within its territory, playing a vital role in colonial governance.
Real Cédula de Consolidación	Royal decree addressing land titles and ownership.
Real Cédula de Desagüe	Royal decree regulating drainage or water control.
Real Cédula de Gracia	Royal decree of pardon or grace.
Real Cédula de Residencia	Royal decree requiring officials to undergo an inquiry after their term.
Real Cédula de Sello	Royal seal decree, regulating seals used on documents.
Real Hacienda	Royal treasury or finances.
Real Ordenanza	Royal ordinance or regulation.
Real Patronato	Royal patronage, control over church matters by the Spanish crown.
Real Pragmática	Royal decree or pragmatic sanction.
Real Situado	Royal subsidy for maintenance of military and government.

Recopilación de Leyes de las Indias (Compilation of Laws of the Indies)	Compilation of laws relating to the Spanish colonies.
Reducción	Spanish effort to gather scattered indigenous populations into settlements, often for easier conversion to Christianity.
Regidor	Member of the cabildo, often responsible for municipal affairs.
Repartimiento	Forced labor system where indigenous people were required to work a certain number of days per year for Spanish colonists.
Repartimiento de Cédulas	Forced labor imposed through the distribution of labor tickets.
Repartimiento de encomiendas	The allocation of indigenous labor and tributes to Spanish encomenderos, allowing them to extract labor and resources from native communities in return for protection and religious guidance.
Repartimiento de mercancías	Forced labor involving distribution of goods.
Repartimiento de trabajo	Forced labor system.
Repartimiento de Tributos	Forced labor and tribute distribution system.
República de Españoles	Community of Spanish citizens in the colonies.
República de españoles y mestizos	Community of mixed-race individuals.
Residencia	An evaluation process in the Spanish colonial era that reviewed the conduct of outgoing officials to ensure accountability and address abuses before they left their position.
Teniente	Lieutenant or deputy, often referring to an administrative official.
Tribunal de Consulado	Merchant guild tribunal overseeing trade and commerce.
Venta de mercancías	A system in the Spanish colonial era where indigenous communities had to buy European goods at set prices, often leading to exploitation and dependence.
Viceroy	A high-ranking official appointed by the Spanish crown to govern and represent a viceroyalty, overseeing various administrative, political, and military matters in the colony.
Viceroyalty	Administrative division headed by a viceroy, representing the Spanish crown.
Virreinato	Viceroyalty, a large administrative division.
Visitador	Official appointed to conduct inspections or visits.
Visitas	Visits by Catholic priests to ensure the conversion of indigenous people to Christianity, altering their religious practices and culture in the process, as part of the colonization efforts.