Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3
IMPERIAL REFORM
AND CONLICT IN THE
RÍO DE LA PLATA
During the 18th century, the Río de la Plata, which had been on
the fringe of possessions in Spanish South America, became one
of the empire's most vibrant commercial areas. Trade flourished at the
port of Buenos Aires, and most of Potosí's silver now passed over the
extended mule and cart trails from Bolivia to the estuary on the Atlantic
coast. It no longer traveled through Lima. Stimulated by exports, the
area became an important market for foreign shippers. Mercury arrived
here for the long trek overland to Bolivia's silver mines, and slaves also
arrived in increasing numbers. The expanding commerce induced cattle
producers on the Pampas to adopt more efficient methods. Population
soared throughout the region, but particularly in the expanding prov-
ince of Buenos Aires.
The economic expansion of the 18th century, however, caused a
number of problems that the Spanish Crown felt compelled to address.
Growth of the Hispanic population encroached on the frontier regions
inhabited by the indigenous peoples, who themselves experienced
a regeneration of political organization and population, and vio-
lence intensified on the frontiers. The commercial development also
brought rising conflict between the Spanish-speaking colonists of the
Río de la Plata and the Portuguese in Brazil. This international con-
flict involved the Jesuit missions of Paraguay, as well as their Guaraní
acolytes, who were vying for the occupation of the riverine provinces
and Uruguay. Finally, the Crown also had to confront the problem
of contraband, since it received little in the way of tax benefits from
commercial expansion in the Río de la Plata and Spanish kings had
