Bourbon reforms or reconquest?
Substantial economic growth in 18th century fueled by mining, tropical agriculture (cacao, cochineal, sugar), regional trade, and reforms
Administrative reforms
- New Viceroyalties: Nueva Granada, Rio de la Plata
- Expulsion of Jesuits (1767)
- Colonial militias (1768)
- Formation of Intendancies (1784, 6)
Commercial reforms
- Free trade decrees, 1764, 1778
- Abolition of corregidor (1782), reparto de comercio (1784)