Viceroyalty of New Granada

Colombia, 1717–1819. Draft, not yet reviewed

The Viceroyalty of New Granada was the name given on 27 May 1717 to the jurisdiction of the Spanish Empire in northern South America, corresponding to modern Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela. It was created in 1717 by King Felipe V, suspended in 1723 for financial problems and restored in 1739. Control from Spain was never very effective, and travel and communications within the viceroyalty were difficult. The territories of the viceroyalty gained full de facto independence from Spain between 1819 and 1822.

Seat of power: Bogotá

Rulers

Jorge de Villalonga

Viceroy of New Granada, 1717–1724

He had specific orders to clean up the disorder and corruption rampant among the royal officials of the colony. In 1721, following orders from the cabinet in Madrid, he expelled all foreigners, both residents and temporary visitors.

Portrait of Jorge de Villalonga: Unknown artistUnknown artist, Public domain, file

Sebastián de Eslava

Viceroy of New Granada, 1740–1749

He repaired the Castle of Bocachica and various forts protecting the port. He took steps to supply arms, ammunition and military training to the Spanish forces.

Portrait of Sebastián de Eslava: Joaquín Gutiérrez, Public domain, file

José Alfonso Pizarro

Viceroy of New Granada, 1749–1753

He formed a monopoly of aguardiente, which provoked riots. He reorganized the mint and improved communications with Bogotá.

Portrait of José Alfonso Pizarro: Joaquín Gutiérrez, Public domain, file

Manuel Antonio Flórez

Viceroy of New Granada, 1776–1781

He was well liked until 1781, when he was confronted with the Revolt of the Comuneros. He resigned on 26 November 1781 and returned to Spain, citing ill health.

Portrait of Manuel Antonio Flórez: Unidentified painter, Public domain, file

Francisco Gil de Taboada

Viceroy of New Granada, 1788–1789

He took up his new position in January 1789, and served there only until July, when he was named viceroy of Peru and president of the Audiencia of Lima.

Portrait of Francisco Gil de Taboada: WIKI.MGP, CC BY-SA 4.0, file

José Manuel de Ezpeleta, 1st Count of Ezpeleta de Beire

Viceroy of New Granada, 1790–1797

He founded the first theater in Bogotá. He supported literary circles, in which some of the future heroes of the independence movement participated.

Portrait of José Manuel de Ezpeleta, 1st Count of Ezpeleta de Beire: Esteve, Public domain, file

Antonio José Amar y Borbón

Viceroy of New Granada, 1803–1810

His administration was fairly routine until the 1808 invasion of Spain by Napoleonic France. A revolt began in Bogotá on July 20, 1810, and on July 25, 1810 he was removed.

Portrait of Antonio José Amar y Borbón: Joaquín Gutiérrez, Public domain, file

Francisco Montalvo y Ambulodi

Viceroy of New Granada, 1816–1818

His headquarters were in Santa Marta, since the capital was under rebel control. On February 15, 1816, he reconquered the city of Cartagena for Spain. On February 24, under his orders, 44 patriots of Cartagena were executed.

Portrait of Francisco Montalvo y Ambulodi: Unknown author, Public domain, file

Culture

The Spanish had never subjugated the Wayuu, but the two groups were more or less in a permanent state of war.
Of all the Indians in the territory of Colombia, the Wayuu were unique in having learned the use of firearms and horses.
The establishment of an autonomous Captaincy General in Caracas in 1777 was a response to the necessities of effectively governing the peripheral regions.

Picture

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas in Cartagena was built in 1639 by African slave labor under Spanish supervision.

Image: Martin St-Amant (S23678), CC BY-SA 3.0, file

Sources

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.