1535 - Viceroyalty of New Spain

In 1535, the Spanish Crown established the Viceroyalty of New Spain, with Mexico City as its capital. This created the colonial political structure that governed much of Mexico and other Spanish territories for nearly three centuries.

For citizenship study, this date helps explain how colonial government developed after the conquest and why Mexico City became such an important political center.

The approximate period of the consolidation of the conquest was from 1530 to 1560. Luis de Velasco y Ruiz de Alarcón was the second viceroy of New Spain. Juan Ruiz de Apodaca was the last ruler of New Spain to hold the title of viceroy. The first viceroy of New Spain was Antonio de Mendoza y Pacheco. The highest authority in New Spain was the viceroy, or virrey.