Peninsulares:
* Born in Spain: Held the highest positions in society, including government, military, and Church.
* Exclusive rights: They controlled most of the wealth and power, often denying opportunities to those born in the Americas.
Criollos:
* Born in the Americas, but of Spanish descent: Second in the hierarchy, often wealthy landowners and merchants.
* Ambitious: They sought greater political and economic power, often leading independence movements.
Mestizos:
* Mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry: A large and diverse group, with varying social positions depending on wealth and social connections.
* Middle ground: Mestizos often served as intermediaries between Spanish authorities and Indigenous communities.
Indigenos:
* Native peoples: Had a range of experiences and social standings.
* Exploited: Suffered under the encomienda system, forced labor, and disease.
* Resistance: They engaged in rebellions and maintained cultural practices despite oppression.
Africans:
* Enslaved or free people of African descent: Experienced varying degrees of discrimination and oppression.
* Significant contributions: They played a key role in developing agricultural economies, especially in the Caribbean and Brazil.
Other Groups:
* Mulattoes: People of mixed African and Spanish descent.
* Zambos: People of mixed Indigenous and African descent.
Important Points:
* Fluidity: While the system was rigid, people could move between groups, especially through wealth accumulation or marriage.
* Intermarriage: Interracial relationships were common, blurring the lines between groups.
* Regional Variations: The class system varied across different regions of Spanish America, with different levels of integration and social mobility.
Understanding the complexities of the Spanish American class system is crucial to understanding the history, politics, and social dynamics of the region.