What two types of people might have acted as the government on Spanish settlements in the Americas
The two types of people who might have acted as the government on Spanish settlements in the Americas are the Spanish Crown officials and the local aristocracy.
To understand this, we need to look into the historical context. During the period of Spanish colonization in the Americas, the Spanish Crown held significant authority and governed the colonies. The Spanish Crown officials, also known as royal officials or encomenderos, were appointed by the crown to administer and govern the colonies on its behalf. They were responsible for enforcing Spanish laws, collecting taxes, and maintaining order within the settlements.
Additionally, the local aristocracy played a crucial role in governance. The Spanish aristocracy, or the "hidalgos," were the local nobility who held land and power within the colonies. They typically owned large estates, known as "encomiendas," and were granted certain privileges by the Spanish Crown. These aristocrats had significant influence in the daily affairs of the settlements, often acting as local government leaders. They managed the labor and resources of the territory, controlled trade, and had considerable power over the indigenous population.
Therefore, in Spanish settlements in the Americas, the government was often shared between the Spanish Crown officials, who represented the interests of the Crown, and the local aristocracy, who held power and influence over the local population.