El Ministerio de Ultramar (1863-1899)

Abstract

Following the independence of the Spanish American colonies in the early 1800’s, the mother country began to consider different ways to rule the remaining territories. The ultimate resolution was to explore an unknown path, creating a higher instance that didn’t gather all the administrative powers. The Ministry of Overseas, therefore, mirrored those of the European Powers, such as the British Colonial Office and the Dutch Ministry of the Colonies. In addition, the birth of this Ministry not only put an end to the possibility of self-government in the overseas territories, but also reinforced the trend of the Spanish Constitution of 1837, which consisted of building a special legal frame for them