Mark A. Burkholder is Professor of History at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  His books include Biographical Dictionary of Audiencia Ministers in the Americas, 1687–1821 (with D. S. Chandler, 1982), Biographical Dictionary of Councilors of the Indies, 1717–1808 (1986), and Colonial Latin America, Eighth Edition (with Lyman L. Johnson, March 2012).

• List of Illustrations viii Series Editor’s Preface ixPreface xiMaps xvi1 Spain and Its Early Empire in America 12 Native Sons and Daughters in the Church 283 Native Sons in Office 594 The Heyday of Native Sons and Daughters, circa 1630–1750 845 Reforms, Commentaries, and Officials, 1750–1808 1106 The Church, Complaints, and Social Change, 1750–1808 1297 From Abdications to Independence 149Glossary 172Notes 178Suggestions for Further Reading 184Index 193

“This process, too, is explained with admirable clarity in this authoritative, sophisticated overview of a key issue in Latin American history.”  (Journal of Latin American Studies, 1 October 2013)“Summing Up:  Recommended.  Upper-division undergraduates and above.” (Choice, 1 September 2013)