Spanish Colonial Church and State Term Paper

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Spanish and Portuguese governments had also been infused with religious power on top of their political power. The eighteenth century saw the Church take over much of the affairs of everyday life in the New World. As the Franciscan and Jesuit orders moved into the spotlight, the Church gained the ultimate authority. A swell of missionaries swarmed into Spain's northern colonies and installed small power hubs in the form of missions. Friars and priests became the head leaders of small pueblos built around missions which were protected by small bands of soldiers. After dominance had been asserted by the military might of all the explorers and conquistadors, the Church stepped in and moved from the desire to conquer to the desire to convert. Life in these rural religious institutions as depicted in the film "The Missionary" with Robert Deniro, controlled the lives of the natives. Although Spain and Portugal could justify their actions through religion, most of the indigenous population suffered at the hands of the Franciscans and the Jesuits. They forced the natives into complete submission, and some may even say slavery.

There was a great decline in the control over the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in the Americas. Many of the missions fell into disorder after the decline of the Franciscan and Jesuit powers.

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The corruption and oppression of the centuries past exploded in various rebellions all over the old Spanish empire. Spain and Portugal both lost colonies in the Caribbean, North, and South America. With these rebellions came proceeding indigenous governments, many of which were modeled after U.S. Government policy. Therefore, there was much more of a separation between the powers of church and state. The intimate relationship with the Church crumbled, (Mills 396). This was the solidified when the United States took over a large portion of the old Spanish colonies in Northern America. The freedom of religion and negative attitude of united church and state all trickled into indigenous regimes.

The ties between Church and state helped justify the conquest and maintenance of the Americas. The nineteenth century saw the decimation of the relationship between the two powers which was essential to create the massive empire which was once held by Spain and Portugal. Unfortunately, the relationship which was the life blood of the empire eventually faded, and so went the empire with it. This makes one wonder if there can ever be permanent benefits from uniting Church and state within the context of one government.

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