Union of Arms

The Union of Arms was a system promoted in the 1620s by the Count-Duke of Olivares, chief minister of King Philip IV. It required every kingdom of the Spanish Empire, including New Spain, to contribute money and goods to the monarchy’s defense, and the burden fell above all on the wealthy.

It should not be confused with the encomienda or the repartimiento, which were systems of Indigenous labor and tribute, not contributions by the rich to Spain.