Cabildos: Native Involvement in Government Under New Spain
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Cabildos: Native Involvement in Government Under New Spain
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As the center of politics in the Viceroyalty of New Spain, Mexico City housed the most powerful political entities: the Audencia (high court), Spanish Ayuntamiento (city council), the court of the viceroy, and the seat of the archbishop. However, the cabildo was located in tecpan comonidad, meaning community palace in Nahuatl. These tecpans are extremely prevalent on the Uppsala Map, identified by the disk frieze over the lintel, representing an ancient symbol for preciousness and power. Listed either as a tecpan, mansion, or administration building, there are 72 total buildings with the disk frieze on the Uppsala Map. Much like the municipal councils of today, the cabildos of Mexico-Tenochtitlan covered the daily aspects of Spanish and indigenous life and governed the different areas of the city. First established by the second viceroy don Luis de Velasco, the cabildos were made up of elected officials known as alcaldes. These elected officials were charged with governing the cities four sectors: San Juan Moyotlan, San Pablo Teopan, San Sebastian Atzaqualco, and Santa Maria la Redonda Cuepopan. Originally elected for life, the election process for the alcaldes was standardized in the 16th century. The election would last from the fall until January 1st and would be supervised by an election supervisor appointed by the viceroy. This election process allowed the indigenous people to break away from the hereditary line of governors, the last of whom died in 1565. An in-depth look at the influence of the cabildos can be seen when examining primary sources such as the Codex Osuna and the detailed minutes kept during meetings of the cabildo. In the Codex Osuna, indigenous workers claimed non-payment for various goods and services. This codex offers insight into various aspects of the cabildos including their formation, the taxation process, and the public construction projects completed at the request of the government. The minutes kept by cabildo also show the finer details of governing, detailing the everyday disputes brought before the municipal council, with a main theme being property disputes between natives and Spaniards.
Sources: Bejarano, I., México City Cabildo., Actas de Cabildo del Ayuntamiento de la ciudad de México. 1889. México City: [Press], 1889. Connell, William F. After Moctezuma: Indigenous Politics and Self-government in Mexico City, 1524-1730. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 2011. Evans, Susan Toby. "The Aztec Palace Under Spanish Rule." The Postclassic to Spanish-era Transition in Mesoamerica: Archaeological Perspectives. Edited by Susan Kepecs and Rani T. Alexander. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press, 2005. Pintura Del Gobernador, Alcaldes Y Regidores De México. 1565, Mexico City. Manuscript, National Library of Spain. World Digital Library. Ruiz De Cabrera, Cristobal. Some Peculiar and Extraordinary Events from the Administration of Don Diego [Carillo De Mendoza] Pimentel, Marquis of Gelves, Viceroy of New Spain, Resulting from His Excessive Harshness”. 1624, Mexico City. Manuscript, Latin American Collection, Texas Christian University.
Plano de la Calzada de los Misterios y la Villa de Guadalupe