The Contracting House, established in the Reales Alcázares in Seville in 1503, was the first administrative body created specifically for the management of America. In 1717, it was moved to Cadiz until its extinction in 1790. This institution organised, managed and processed expeditions to America, as well as controlling commercial activities and the transit of people. Although there were other Casas de Contratación in the Peninsula, the one in Seville had a monopoly on trade between Spain and its American territories; this required collaboration with the merchants’ guild and the determination of the port of Seville, which became the only one authorised for such activities.

Collection: Texts

Chronology: XVI, XVII, XVIII

Scope: Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, University

Resource type: Historical source

Format: Unknown

Source: Archivo General de Indias. Indiferente General, 418, libro 1, fol. 84v-88v.

Language: Spanish

Date: 1503-1790

Owner: Pablo Ballesta Fernández (Modernalia)

Copyright: ©Archivo General de Indias ©Manuel Casado Arboniés

Abstract: Founding of the Contracting House in Seville, which monopolised trade between Spain and America

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