Establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain

Timeline

1. 1535Barcelona · CataloniaThrough the Council of the Indies, Charles V appointed Antonio de Mendoza viceroy of New Spain in Barcelona on April 17, 1535. The crown intended to replace the overly independent conquistadors with a court noble and bring Mexico and other regions under a viceregal system similar to that of the peninsula.
2. 1535Mexico City · Mexico CityMendoza reached Veracruz via Cuba in the autumn and entered Mexico City in ceremony on November 14 to take office. The next day he convened the city council to learn about his jurisdiction, and the first viceroyalty in the Americas began operating with Mexico City as its seat.
3. 1535–1536Mexico City · Mexico CityThe viceroy represented the king, overseeing administration, judicial supervision, defense, and finance, while sharing power with the audiencia. Cortés was not granted the viceroyalty and instead developed his encomiendas. New Spain initially governed Spanish territories north of the Isthmus of Panama and the Caribbean possessions, providing a model for later viceroyalties such as Peru.