In pursuit of a history of hispanic universities in the new World (16th-18th century)

Abstract

After a short review of the conditions under which modern universities arise in Spain, this paper analyzes how such a typical European institution was introduced and consolidated in the Americas; some causes that explain the geographical distribution of the American institutions and their appearance over three extended periods from the 16th to the 18th century. As of 1528, during the three centuries of Spanish dominion in the New World, in excess of 30 institutions granted themselves the title as university, in circa 15 cities located from Guadalajara in Mexico to Santiago de Chile, Santo Domingo, Havana and the Philippines. However, the Portuguese enclaves in present-day Brazil did not have universities until the 20th century, and in the Atlantic colonies of the north several colleges were established with Harvard (1634), but used the name university until the end of the 19th century.