New Kingdom of León facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New Kingdom of León
Nuevo Reino de León (Spanish)
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| 1582–1821 | |||||||
 Cross of Burgundy,
flag of New Spain.  Coat of arms
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.svg)
Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1819.
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| Status | Spanish colony | ||||||
| Capital | Monterrey | ||||||
| Common languages | Spanish | ||||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||
| King of Spain | |||||||
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• January 16, 1556 - September 13, 1598
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Philip II | ||||||
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• 1813–1821
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Ferdinand VII | ||||||
| Royal Governor | |||||||
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• 1580–1588
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Luis de Carabajal y Cueva | ||||||
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• 1795–1810
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Simón de Herrera y Leyva | ||||||
| Historical era | Colonial era | ||||||
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• Established
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1582 | ||||||
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• Disestablished
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1821 | ||||||
| Population | |||||||
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• 1790
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43,739 | ||||||
| Currency | Spanish colonial real | ||||||
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| Today part of | Mexico | ||||||
The New Kingdom of León (called Nuevo Reino de León in Spanish) was a special area that belonged to the Spanish Empire. It was like a colony, and it was managed by the Viceroyalty of New Spain, which was a big Spanish government in the Americas. This kingdom was located in what is now the northeastern part of Mexico, mainly where the state of Nuevo León is today.
How the Kingdom Started
The New Kingdom of León was created in 1582. At that time, Philip II was the King of Spain and its many colonies. He wanted to explore and settle more of the northern parts of New Spain.
He gave permission to create a new "realm" or kingdom. This new place was named Nuevo Reyno de León, which means "New Kingdom of León." It was named after an older kingdom in Spain called the Kingdom of León.
Philip II chose a person named Luis de Carabajal y Cueva to be the first governor and captain-general of this new area. Starting this kingdom was a very important step. It helped the Spanish create more settlements, even reaching as far as Texas later on.
Languages Spoken
The main language spoken by the Spanish settlers was the Spanish language. However, some people who came from the original Kingdom of León in Spain also spoke a language called Leonese language. Over time, this Leonese language mixed with Spanish in the New World.
History of the Kingdom
Even though the New Kingdom of León was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, it often managed its own affairs. This was because its main cities were very far from the capital of the Viceroyalty.
Over time, the New Kingdom of León developed a shared culture with its neighboring areas. In 1776, it became part of a larger group of provinces called the Commandancy General of the Provincias Internas. This group was semi-autonomous, meaning it had some self-rule.
Later, in 1786, this group split into three smaller commands. The New Kingdom of León became part of the Eastern Internal Provinces (Provincias Internas de Oriente). This group also included the provinces of Coahuila, Tejas, and Nuevo Santander. The New Kingdom of León remained part of this command until 1821.
In 1821, Mexico declared its independence from Spain. The New Kingdom of León, along with the rest of Mexico, became an independent republic.
What It Is Today
After Mexico became independent from Spain, the territory of the Nuevo Reyno de León changed its name. It became the "Estado Libre y Soberano de Nuevo León," which means the 'Free and Sovereign State of New León.' This is the state of Nuevo León that we know in Mexico today.
See also
