Spanish colonial rule

Spanish colonial rule refers to the period when Spain established and maintained control over large parts of the Americas, the Philippines, and other territories from the late 15th century until the early 19th century. This rule involved the establishment of settlements, the spread of Christianity, and the exploitation of resources and indigenous labor. Spain implemented a bureaucratic system to govern these colonies, often leading to the oppression of local populations. Indigenous cultures were drastically altered, with many aspects suppressed while others blended into colonial society. Independence movements in the 19th century eventually dismantled Spanish colonial authority in most regions.