This volume examines the history of the Iberian colonies in the New World from their preconquest background to the wars of independence in the early nineteenth century. Updated and expanded, the eighth edition offers a history of the cultures, the people, and the struggles that have played a part in shaping Latin America. In addition it is more comprehensive throughout, with new coverage of the Bourbon reforms and independence. It contains revised and expanded discussions of Spanish and Portuguese imperial reforms, eighteenth-century rebellions and conspiracies in Spanish America and Brazil, and the early national period. It includes an extended and refocused examination of the Peninsular War and patriotic resistance in Spain and Portugal. Revised discussion of mining and fiscal administration based on new research on silver production are also included. There are updated chronologies and suggested readings for every chapter and new illustrations.