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The article focuses on the historical archives that document the land claims filed by indigenous communities in Mendoza, Argentina during the 19th century. The author explains that Huarpe Indians and Laguneros had kept documents of land surveys and lawsuits concerning land tenure since the early colonial period. He discusses the establishment of Indian communities in relation to the development of Spanish colonies, explores the lawsuits by the colonial administrator known as the "Protector de Indios," and examines how property rights were impacted by local politics.

"Life without Empire: Audiencia Ministers after Independence" draws upon sources from Spain's national, regional, and university archives to examine men with audiencia positions in Spain and in the Indies from the end of the sale of appointments in 1750 to 1821. In 1750 these ministers shared backgrounds of gender and university study of civil law, canon law, or both. They differed in regard to place of birth, the purchase of an initial audiencia appointment, age at first appointment, educational experience and university affiliation, prior government service and university teaching, and the extent of prominent letrado relatives serving audiencias, chancellories, and councils. By 1808 these differences had largely disappeared and a much more homogenous corps of ministers served on the tribunals. The changes in background facilitated the incorporation into the Spanish courts of a substantial number of ministers with American service after independence. Many creole and the few peninsular ministers who remained in the Americas after independence also obtained positions there. Compared to intendants and bishops in the Americas, ministers on New World audiencias proved relatively successful in securing posts after independence. In terms of subsequent offices held, the handful of creole audiencia ministers that emigrated to Spain fared better than the peninsulars that remained in the newly independent states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the relationship that developed between indigenous peoples and Spanish colonial administrators and individuals during the struggles for village lands in rural Cuzco, Peru. Ethnic land conflict in Cuzco; Colonialism, law and land; Colonialism and indigenous land loss; Spanish assaults and legal defense.