Final answer:
Most colonial subjects in Latin America initially accepted the Spanish monarchy's legitimacy, with colonial elites swearing loyalty. Over time, experiences with autonomic juntas and ineffective militarized responses from Spain led to a realization of self-governance, weakening Spain's control and legitimacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Latin America, the legitimacy of the Spanish monarchy was initially accepted by most colonial subjects. During the Napoleonic Wars, colonial elites and junta members in both Spain and the Americas swore loyalty to the absent Spanish king. However, the situation was complex, with creole royalists and various social classes harboring different degrees of acceptance and dissent.
The establishment of autonomous conservative juntas, such as in New Spain (Mexico), started off with creoles and peninsulares united in their loyalty to Spain. But when local peninsular judges replaced the viceroy in 1810, creole royalists moved to take control of the government. This event signaled a shift in the attitude towards Spanish rule, as did the use of the phrase "obedezco, pero no cumplo" ("I obey, but I do not comply") among colonists towards Council of Indies regulations.
Despite initial allegiance, over time, the colonists realized they could govern themselves, leading to a weakening of Spain's control. Postcolonial strife followed independence movements, with social hierarchies inherited from the colonial period perpetuating power struggles between various social groups and local military chieftains, often in alliance with wealthy creole landowners. The experience of forming juntas and the militarized response from Spain only served to further weaken its hold over the colonies, ultimately leading to widespread recognition of the colonists' ability for self-governance and the breaking of ties with the Spanish monarchy.