nd corporate bodies constrained the viceroys ability to act alone. This is an example of the overlapping checks and balances of power in this bureaucracy. The audencias where the people chosen to work as the executive branch and limit the power of the viceroys in the colonies (Lecture 2/13). Without the audencias, the Crown was scared that the viceroys would grow too powerful and try to over throw the crown. With a checks and balance system this bureaucracy stabilizes power in the colonies and keeps the Crown in control.The Church was also an important part of this bureaucratic system. The Crown nurtured the Church financially and legislatively. The Church built schools in indigenous areas to assimilate to Spanish ways. The Church forced the indigenous people to assimilate to the Spanish ways. They burnt Texcolan books and killed anyone who could pass on the Indians old ways (Lecture 2/13-15). After the Crowns bankruptcy in 1557, the king extended the practice of selling offices and appointments to the Indies. The Crown started by selling only minor offices and appointments, but eventually wanted more revenue and began selling the political administrators position as well as the professional bureaucrats. These were essential positions that were considered most central to the Crowns maintenance of authority, revenue and security . With these positions being able to be bought by anyone, like native sons and outsiders, there was a likely hood that there will be a decrease in opportunities for advancement and an increased possibility for corruption. By 1700, the Crown even began to sell appointments to the office of viceroy. This was asking for trouble. Since money was replacing merit as the primary criterion for appointment, once non-Spanish native sons became viceroys they wanted to stay there, showing no intention of ever leaving. This limited the potential for advancement. Also given the modest salaries associated with ...
