Social Hierarchy in Latin America

What was the social hierarchy based on?

What is the 1st class in the social hierarchy?

What is the 2nd class in the social hierarchy?

What is the 3rd class in the social hierarchy?

What is the 4th class in the social hierarchy?

What is the 5th class in the social hierarchy?

Peninsulares held all important military and political positions.

Creoles controlled most of the land and business.

Mestizos faced no social or racial barriers.

Native Americans, Africans, and Mulattos were at the top of the colonial social pyramid.

Social hierarchy primarily based on skin color and racial background.
System divided into distinct classes, reflecting European colonial rule.

Classes of Society

1st Class: Peninsulares
- Individuals born in Europe.
- Held all significant military and political positions.
2nd Class: Creoles
- Descendants of Europeans born in Latin America.
- Dominated land ownership and business sectors.
3rd Class: Mestizos
- People of mixed European and Native American ancestry.
- Faced discrimination from the ruling white classes, enduring social and racial barriers.
4th Class: Mulattos
- Individuals of mixed European and African heritage.
5th Class: Native Indians and African slaves
- Positioned at the lowest tier of the colonial social structure.
- Endured harsh conditions and limited rights within society.

Discrimination and Inequality

Mestizos encountered significant social challenges, including prejudice from the upper classes.
Native Indians, Africans, and Mulattos experienced systemic marginalization, affecting their societal roles and opportunities.

This quiz covers the social hierarchy of Latin America based on skin race. It explores the classifications of different social groups from peninsulares to mulattos. Test your knowledge on the definitions and characteristics of each class.