Although an analysis of the years between the events related in the previous chapter and the uprising of 1781 does not form part of this study, a summary of the period extending until just past the first half of the century is helpful to prepare for what follows.

The term of the corregidor Juan de Landaeta went against the grain of Oruro's high-strung society, and the town endured it with scarcely concealed impatience. When the next corregidor, Eugenio Lerdo de Tejada, took office, the town reverted to its interminable quarrels, mutual accusations, and factional hostility.

Melchor de Herrera – unshakable in his post as alcalde provincial – reappeared on the scene with no need for discretion. His office was strategic in that its holder gave orders to the rural police. As noted in the preceding chapter, the possibilities for wielding effective power depended in this case, as in that of alcalde ordinario or corregidor, on the private resources of the individual who had the job. In some cases it was also possible to arbitrarily make use of the resources of the royal exchequer. The opposition to Herrera's group seemed more disorganized in this period, his main enemies being the corregidores and people sent from Lima. But the weak authority of the latter – compared to the firm discipline of Juan de Landaeta – caused the viceroy to adopt a somewhat tolerant position toward the Herrerists and their followers.