Mission churches, which followed a similar architectural plan but varied in terms of decoration, are among the earliest examples of colonial architecture. View pictures and read the history of these mission churches, or conventos, in New...

After a brief introduction, you can read the full text of the Adams-Onis Treaty negotiated with Spain by John Quincy Adams.

This article examines religion in Mexico beginning with the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, and some of the changes since then.

The history of early ranching during the westward expansion and the cattle boom from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century.

When the Spanish Crown (the monarchy) learned of the promise of wealth offered by vast continents that had been previously unknown to Europeans, they sent forces to colonize the land, convert the indigenous populations, and extract...

The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first elected legislature in the New World. Find out why the governmental conditions in England led to this representative government and how it was so different from the governing of colonies in...

Father Damian Massanet's first-hand account of Spain's first occupation of East Texas in the year 1690.

A huge website that provides a virtual field trip exploring the Spanish adventurers who quested for gold and land in the New World. The site has information on Pizarro, Orellana, Cabeza de Vaca, Cortes as well as extensive information...

Read about the Mexican War of Independence, an armed conflict which was the culmination of a political and social process which ended the rule of Spain in the territory of New Spain.

Find out about the early nineteenth century armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish rule.

Champagne, noise makers and confetti are all New Year's Eve staples. But, in some parts of the country and the world, so are black-eyed peas, lentils, grapes and pickled herring. Hailing from the Low Country of South Carolina to Japanese...

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text describing New Year celebrations in different countries including: The United States, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, China, and Australia. A question sheet is available to help...

Video explaining that the attack from terrorists in Spain on March 11, 2004 have had bigger political ramifications than physical ones. The party in power was seen as weak on terrorism and therefore lost control of Parliament. [1:36]

[Free Registration/Login Required] The New York Times covers the latest news, issues, and events in Europe, the UK and Ireland today.

This letter written by Guaman Poma is the most famous manuscript from South America dated to this time period in part because it is so comprehensive and long, but also because of its many illustrations. View pictures of the illustrations...

Read some first-person excerpts taken from Texas letters accounting events from the Mexican War for Independence from Spain.

A very good explanation of how early English settlements were financed, and why the English government refused to invest in such ventures. See who led such companies, who were willing to go to the New World, and why English colonies were...

The influence of Asian art on colonial Latin America is particularly evident in viceregal textiles, ceramics, and furniture. Some examples are the resplendent biombos, or folding screens, made in Mexico beginning in the seventeenth...

The Florentine Codex contains an unparalleled wealth of information regarding the people and culture of central Mexico immediately preceding the Conquest and its discussion of the Conquest itself. View pictures and descriptions of the...

After the Conquest, Spanish colonizers' first task was to convert the indigenous peoples to Christianity and eliminate their religious beliefs. Painted murals within their missions demonstrate the great fear and urgency of the...

The Atrial Cross at Acolman offers a fascinating look into the interactions between Spanish friars and Nahua converts in the years directly following the conquest of Mexico. View pictures and descriptions of the cross and the Augustinian...

Acoma Pueblo is home to one of the best-preserved early mission churches in the United States - San Esteban del Rey. View pictures of this church and read about the history in this essay.

Miguel Cabrera was one of the most celebrated and prolific artists of viceregal Mexico in the eighteenth century. View pictures of "The Virgin of the Apocalypse" and read about the iconography in this essay.

View pictures and read descriptions of the oldest surviving featherwork from colonial Mexico in this essay.