Repelled after Hernán Cortés’s interest, Acapulco was boosted again when Andrés de Urdaneta proposed it as the American port of the transpacific line tying up Asia and America. With the tornavuelta, Spain established itself in the heart of Far East, supported Philippines Islands from New Spain, and allowed the galleon to carry out the commercial exchanges Manila had with the Chinese, leading to the settling in Acapulco of the crown’s power and to the creation of a trade fair.Once a year, a Galion loaded with luxury oriental goods was to leave Manila and pick up the situado and the socorro in Acapulco. This so small village was transformed in an attractive source of prestige for all Hispanic America by the richness of the novelties which fulfilled their aspirations for recognition that Spain denied them.In the theatre of Acapulco, two mentalities were in conflict: Spain’s archaic mercantile policy, and the dynamic and modern Novohispanos behavior, issued from the economical restructuration coming from the decreasing of the native population. Strong gaps, amplified by a double Royal language led to smuggling, corruption and collusion of merchantmen with officials, ways that became necessary for the profitability of the lawful trade.During the XVII century, Acapulco was a spot of clashes, of synthesis, of influence from various worlds and their respective cultures. Its path was neither continuous nor straight, but permanently and profoundly engraved. Despite difficulties, Acapulco led towards a new order not very far from our today globalization.
Acapulco and the Galion of Manila : The daily reality during the XVIIth century