Questions and Answers
What does the Casta System refer to?
Who were the Peninsulares?
Natives of Spain (Europeans)
What is a Mestizo?
A person of mixed race in the Americas (European and Indian/Native American)
What does the term Mulatto refer to?
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What are Zambos?
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Who were African Slaves in the context of the Casta System?
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Study Notes
Casta System Overview
- The Casta System was a rigid social hierarchy in New Spain, emphasizing racial distinctions to maintain Spanish supremacy.
- This system classified individuals based on their racial background, influencing social status, occupation, and rights.
Peninsulares
- Highest social class, consisting of individuals born in Spain.
- Often held key governmental and church positions in the colonies and enjoyed privileges denied to lower classes.
Mestizo
- Second tier of the social hierarchy, referring to people of mixed European and Indigenous (Native American) ancestry.
- Played a significant role in the cultural blending that characterized colonial society.
Mulatto
- Third racial category, comprising individuals of mixed European and African descent.
- Represented a complex interplay of cultures and contributed to the diverse social fabric of the Americas.
Zambos
- Fourth category, identifying people of mixed Indigenous and African heritage.
- Often faced discrimination and stigma, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward race and class.
African Slaves
- Fifth tier in the Casta System, involving individuals of African descent forcibly brought to the Americas as slaves.
- Crucial to the colonial economy, particularly in plantations and labor-intensive industries.
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Description
Explore the intricacies of the Casta System, a rigid social hierarchy established in New Spain based on racial divisions. This quiz covers key terms and definitions such as 'Peninsulares', 'Mestizo', and 'Mulatto'. Test your understanding of this historical social structure and its implications in colonial Latin America.
