Recent research on Latin America argues that Spanish colonialism caused a reversal of
development trajectories in the region (Mahoney 2003; see also Acemoglu, Johnson, and
Robinson 2001, 2002; Engerman and Sokoloff 2002). During the late colonial and the early
postindependence periods—roughly between 1750 and 1850—the wealthy colonial centers
tended to fall behind and turned into the least economically prosperous areas in Spanish
America. By contrast, poor colonial backwaters often experienced impressive growth and …

Colonial States and Economic Development in Spanish America — Research Explorer The
University of Manchester … States and Development … SDG 8 - Decent Work and
Economic Growth …