América, la política internacional europea y las "relaciones de sucesos" españolas tras los tratados de westfalia

Abstract

After the peace of Westphalia (1648) Spanish-French rivalry continued for the rest of the century, despite of the signing of various treaties of peace. This was a gradual shift in Spanish foreign policy that sought an offensive and defensive agreement with its old enemies, the maritime powers of the Netherlands and England. In this situation Spanish America played a very interesting role not for its involvement in military incidents or for sending precious metals for the support of European wars, but because it served as a bargaining chip and as a check and balance to the hegemonic strategy of France. This role played by the Spanish Indies was reflected in chronicles, pamphlets and "relaciones de sucesos".