What was a significant cause of early Spanish rule in Latin America during the nineteenth century?

The removal of administrative and economic restrictions imposed by mercantilism was a significant cause of early Spanish rule in the context of Latin America during the nineteenth century because mercantilism created a tightly controlled economic environment. Under mercantilism, colonies were typically restricted in their trade practices, often only allowed to trade with the mother country, which limited economic growth and autonomy. As these restrictions were gradually relaxed, it enabled local economies to flourish and encouraged the development of a more diverse economy.

This shift also facilitated the emergence of local leaders and movements that began advocating for greater autonomy and, ultimately, independence. The loosening of these economic controls can be seen as a catalyst for independence movements as it allowed for greater interaction with other economies and spurred a desire for political and economic self-determination among the colonies. The growing economic agency that arose from these changes was instrumental in shaping the political landscape and aspirations of the Latin American territories during the nineteenth century.