Camino Real de Tierra Adentro: Expansion and consolidation of Spanish colonial rule

Abstract

The colonization of the northern part of Nueva España, that is Norte, took place along the CRTA(Camino Real de Tierra Adentro). Spanish settlers(pobladores) migrated north, establishing farms, ranches, mines, fortifications(presidio), and mission camps(misión), and at the same time the area became catholicized and spanishized, with a mixture of race and culture. Thus, Norte became part of Nueva España. It was also through this road that the message of the colonial authorities was transmitted and implemented to the northernmost Nuevo México. Consequently, the CRTA meant the expansion of colonial administrative boundaries. As such, the road played an importante role in the expansion of colonial rule from Mesoamerica to Norte. In addition, Norte was the farthest boundary of Nueva España and the region of the Americas where the European powers had the most intense territorial competition. For this reason, the CRTA was of strategic importance in terms of defending the territorial sovereignty of the Spanish colonies. Thus, it can be said that the colonization of Nueva España was consolidated along this path.