• Colonial governments mirrored the home governments.
• A major element of the economy was the mining of precious metals for export.
• Major cities were established as outposts of colonial authority.
(Havana, Mexico City, Lima, São Paulo, Buenos Aires)
• Catholic Church played a major role in Latin America Lives by the use of missionaries. Missionaries tried to convert the natives to Christianity and some tried to protect them from Spanish rule
• Rigid class system- Social Pyramid
• Intendancy system - system where peninsulares were in control of colonial governments.
