Viceroyalty of Peru

Quick Facts: Who was Viceroyalty of Peru?

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Viceroyalty of Peru

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Spanish imperial administrative district in South America, governing Peru from 1542 to 1824.

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Origins & Early Life

The Viceroyalty of Peru (Spanish: Virreinato del Perú [birei̯ˈnato ðel peˈɾu]), officially known as the Kingdom of Peru (Spanish: Reino del Perú), was a Spanish imperial provincial administrative district. Created in 1542, it encompassed modern Peru and most of the Spanish Empire in South America, including regions of Panama and islands in Oceania, governed from the capital of Lima. From the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, Peru was one of the only two Spanish viceroyalties active in the Americas, the other being the Viceroyalty of New Spain. After establishing the capital Lima in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro and Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, the region of Peru suffered internal power struggles between many of the Conquistadors. To end the internal conflict, King Charles I by royal decree, signed the New Laws which established the Kingdom of Peru, which would encompass most of South America, setting Blasco Núñez Vela as the first Viceroy.

Career & Major Achievements

Peru would greatly contribute to the wealth of the region and to Spain, with the discovery of gold, silver, and mercury. Cerro Rico in Potosí became the largest silver mine in the world, which made Peru the greatest distributor of silver. Reforms carried out by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo greatly changed the political administration in South America and the economy, which also led to the exploitation of the indigenous peoples. These reforms would lead to many uprisings which aimed to overthrow Spanish control. The Spanish did not resist the Portuguese expansion of Brazil across the meridian established by the Treaty of Tordesillas.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The treaty was rendered meaningless between 1580 and 1640 while Spain controlled Portugal. The creation during the 18th century of the Viceroyalties of New Granada and Río de la Plata (at the expense of Peru's territory) reduced the importance of Lima and shifted the lucrative Andean trade to Buenos Aires, while the fall of the mining and textile production accelerated the progressive decay of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Despite territorial losses, at the beginning of the 19th century, the Viceroyalty of Peru was still the main possession of the Spanish Monarchy in South America, being one of its main sources of wealth. However, by the end of the viceregal period, almost eighty percent of all American wealth came from the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The Spanish American wars of independence brought an end to the Viceroyalty of Peru.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1535: 1535 Milestone — After establishing the capital Lima in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro and Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, the region of Peru suffered internal power struggles between many of the Conquistadors.
2. 1542: 1542 Milestone — Created in 1542, it encompassed modern Peru and most of the Spanish Empire in South America, including regions of Panama and islands in Oceania, governed from the capital of Lima.
3. 1580: 1580 Milestone — The treaty was rendered meaningless between 1580 and 1640 while Spain controlled Portugal.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Viceroyalty of Peru

True or False: “The Viceroyalty of Peru was the only major Spanish viceroyalty in the Americas throughout its entire existence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): It shared this status with the Viceroyalty of New Spain for much of its history.

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