Colonial Latin America Class

Questions and Answers

What created a complex mix of social classes and people in Latin America?

The political and economic expansion of Spain and Portugal

Social classes in colonial Latin America were based on what?

Status

____________, Spanish and Portuguese officials born in Europe, were the highest social class and maintained power in colonial Latin America.

Peninsulares

____________ were Europeans born in Latin America and their descendants.

Creoles Signup and view all the answers

Many social groups, such as the and _, emerged as a result of the intermarriage between Europeans and Native Americans or Africans.

Mestizos, Mulattoes Signup and view all the answers

The Portuguese and Spanish increased their wealth by removing natural resources like and from Latin American land.

gold, silver Signup and view all the answers

Through the _ system, Spanish landowners forced Native Americans to pay taxes and provide .

Encomienda, labor Signup and view all the answers

In Peru, through a system known as the , authorities could native peoples to work in silver mines.

mita, draft Signup and view all the answers

How did Portuguese and Spanish rulers exert authority over their colonies?

Through a bureaucratic system of government and the influence of the Catholic Church Signup and view all the answers

Portuguese and Spanish monarchies appointed governor-generals, or ______________, to help govern their colonies in Latin America.

viceroy Signup and view all the answers

Determined to _ the native peoples, Catholic _ throughout the Spanish Empire brought Native Americans together into missionaries.

control, missionaries Signup and view all the answers

With the establishment of convents, women had an outlet other than marriage; they could become ______________.

nuns Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The political and economic expansion of Spain and Portugal led to a diverse mix of social classes and ethnic groups in Latin America.
Social stratification was based on the status of individuals, impacting their roles and privileges within society.

Peninsulares: Spanish and Portuguese officials born in Europe; held the highest social status and wielded significant power in colonial governance.
Creoles: Individuals of European descent born in Latin America; they were often wealthy but lacked political power compared to peninsulares.
Mestizos and Mulattoes: New social groups formed through intermarriage between Europeans and Native Americans or Africans, representing a blend of cultures and ethnicities.

Economic Exploitation

The Portuguese and Spanish profited by extracting natural resources, notably gold and silver, from Latin America, significantly boosting their wealth.
The encomienda system obligated Native Americans to pay taxes and forced them to provide labor for Spanish landowners, highlighting the exploitative nature of colonial economics.
In Peru, the mita system allowed authorities to draft indigenous peoples to work in silver mines, further emphasizing labor exploitation.

Governance and Authority

Colonial rule was enforced through a bureaucratic system led by appointed officials, including viceroys who acted as governor-generals for Portuguese and Spanish monarchies.
The Catholic Church played a crucial role in asserting control over Native populations, with missionaries seeking to convert indigenous peoples and create cohesive communities.

Roles of Women

The establishment of convents provided women with alternatives beyond marriage, allowing them to become nuns and engage in religious life, thus expanding their roles in society.

Description

Test your knowledge on the intricate social structure of colonial Latin America through flashcards. Understand key terms such as status and peninsulares, and explore the impact of Spanish and Portuguese expansion on society and economy. Perfect for students studying history and social sciences.