Bourbon Peru provides a succinct history of late colonial Peru, making intelligible the broad lines of its economic, social, and political development under Bourbon government while also explaining the positions taken by Peruvians during the period of imperial crisis from 1810. Throughout, the discussion reflects the current state of debate over essential issues, and incorporates the new perspectives that have resulted from research undertaken by both the author and other international scholars during recent years. Accessible, readable and well argued, Bourbon Peru will be essential reading for anyone with questions about the economy, government, social structure and political outlook of Peru in the period prior to its independence.