Social Structures in Colonial Americas

Spanish rulers sent to govern New Spain, representing the Spanish crown.

Royal courts established in New Spain to hear appeals against Viceroy decisions.

The destruction of indigenous knowledge and culture through the burning of native books and suppression of native languages.

A process where indigenous beliefs and practices blended with European religions, often Christianity and Catholicism.

A syncretic religion in Cuba and Latin America, combining Yoruba beliefs with Catholicism.

A syncretic religion originating in Haiti, blending African beliefs with Catholicism and Voodoo.

A system of forced labor where peasants were tied to the land and obligated to work for a landowner in exchange for protection and services.

Peasants in Russia who were forced to work for landowners and pay heavy taxes, often due to debt or lack of land.

Powerful landowning nobles in Russia who had a large influence on the government and controlled serfs.

A group of skilled fighters living on the steppes, sometimes allied with the tsar's government, but also fighting for independence.

A type of rural community where peasant families governed themselves and controlled land ownership.

The process of expanding the institution of serfdom into new territories as Russia grew larger.

Rebellions by peasants or serfs against unjust conditions and treatment.

A period when Russian serfs were bound permanently to the land and couldn't leave, even after their obligations were fulfilled.

Cossacks were important in Russia's expansion east, and were often involved in conflicts with the government. They were known for their skills as horsemen and were critical to the Russian Empire's territorial growth.

Yemelyan Pugachev led a peasant rebellion against Catherine the Great in 1774, protesting the oppression of serfs and the power granted to nobles in exchange for loyalty.

Pugachev's rebellion, although ultimately suppressed, had a lasting impact on Russia. Catherine the Great's response was to strengthen her control over the peasants, relying on nobles for support, further solidifying the system of serfdom.

The Maratha Empire, led by Hindu warriors, emerged from a series of conflicts with the Mughal Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries, marking a shift of power in India.

The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was a successful uprising of indigenous people against Spanish colonization, driven by cultural and religious oppression.

The Maroon Wars in Jamaica (1728-1740 and 1795-1796) were a series of conflicts between runaway enslaved Africans, known as Maroons, and the colonial powers, fighting for freedom and independence.

Queen Nanny, a legendary figure in Jamaican history, was a Maroon leader who escaped slavery and united Maroons in their fight for freedom.

The Gloucester County Rebellion in Virginia (1663) was the first recorded slave revolt in what is now the United States, a significant event challenging the oppressive system of slavery.

The system in Spanish America that ranked people based on their ancestry and skin color. It shaped social and economic opportunities, with Peninsulares at the top and Castas at the bottom.

People of European descent born in the Americas, ranking above those of mixed ancestry but below Peninsulares.

People of mixed European and indigenous ancestry, occupying a lower social position than Peninsulares and Criollos.

The forced migration of some elites to Moscow by Ivan IV, intended to keep them under control.

The desire to find a sea route to Asia, driving European exploration and trade during this period.

The Qing Dynasty, founded by the Manchu people, ruled over a diverse population including Han Chinese and other ethnic groups. Although they were culturally different, the Manchu aimed to assert their cultural dominance and maintain their power by placing Manchu officials in key government positions.

The Qing dynasty enforced strict policies to maintain their dominance, including the requirement for Han men to wear their hair in queues. This act was a test of loyalty but also served as a humiliating reminder of Manchu authority and challenged traditional Confucian values. Those who refused were punished severely.

Despite the strict policies, the Qing dynasty also incorporated some aspects of traditional Chinese practices, such as the civil service exam and bureaucracy. They aimed to maintain stability and control through this blend of Manchu authority and Chinese tradition.

Han Chinese resistance against the Qing dynasty resulted in violent uprisings and massacres. For example, Han General Li Chengdong orchestrated multiple massacres in Jaiding, resulting in the near-extermination of the city's population. Later, Han Chinese defector Liu Liangzuo also led a massacre in Jiangyin.

European societies were characterized by strict hierarchies, with royalty at the top and nobility holding significant power. This class of wealthy landowners enjoyed special privileges by law and inherited their wealth and influence.

In countries like the Netherlands and England, the nobility had substantial influence on the government. They held power and often worked closely with the ruling class.

Despite their privileges, European nobility faced internal conflicts and criticism. They often contested with royalty for power, which led to struggles for control and influence.

The European nobility, despite their power and wealth, held a relatively small percentage of the population (around 1%). Their power and land were inherited, solidifying their dominance and influence over society.

This exchange of biological entities, people, crops, livestock, and disease between the Americas, Africa, and Europe, resulted from the voyages of Christopher Columbus. It had a profound and lasting impact on the world.

The Atlantic System was a complex web of trade connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The exchange of goods, people, and ideas drove economic and social transformations in these regions.

A mercantilist economic policy aimed at maximizing national wealth by creating trade surpluses, controlling colonies, and accumulating precious metals.

A free-market economic system where individuals and businesses own and control the means of production, guided by supply and demand.

The demand for labor, particularly in the Americas for plantations, led to the exploitation of Africans and the growth of the slave trade.

The introduction of new crops, like manioc, helped to stabilize African populations after the demographic disruptions caused by the slave trade.

The influx of wealth from the New World, primarily gold and silver, resulted in increased prices across Europe.

The influx of wealth from the Americas enabled the growth of a middle class in Europe, supporting advancements in art and culture.