Incidences in the implementation process of the Bourbon reforms in the Northwestern region of New Galicia (1788–1799)

Abstract

During the second half of the 18th century, the Spanish crown designed and implemented a set of reforms in administration, government, and the army across various regions of the empire, which were crucial for maintaining its status among the powers of the time. This study aims to analyze the process that led to the execution of these reforms in the territories of the government of San Luis de Colotlán and Nayar, located in the Northwestern region of New Galicia, between 1788 and 1799. The sources for this research come from archives in Spain and Mexico. The theoretical framework is based on the principles of regional history and sociocultural history. The methodology relies on historical synthesis, offering elements for reconstructing historical events based on primary sources. The results demonstrate that, because of information generated by a group of military personnel, the Spanish government enacted a series of reforms in the region at the end of the 18th century, leading to a political-administrative and military reconfiguration. Additionally, the findings reveal previously unknown aspects of daily life in the area.