Here's a breakdown:
* Peninsulares: These were people born in Spain who had come to the colonies. They held the highest positions in government, military, and the Church. They were considered superior to all other groups and enjoyed the most privileges.
* Criollos: People born in the colonies to Spanish parents. They were second-class citizens and were often frustrated by the Peninsulares' dominance, even though they were considered more "American" by the lower classes.
* Mestizos: People of mixed European (Spanish) and Indigenous ancestry. They were generally considered to be lower than Criollos and faced significant discrimination.
* Indigenous People: The original inhabitants of the Americas, they were treated as subjects and forced into labor systems like the encomienda.
* African Slaves: Brought to the colonies for forced labor, they were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and had the fewest rights.
It's important to note that this was a complex and nuanced system, with variations in specific regions and periods. But in general, the Peninsulares held the most power and prestige within Spanish colonial society.