HI 215 Lecture 10: Caste, Ethnicity and Colonial Society
Document Summary
Based on aristotelian and thomistic ideas that the world consists of those born to rule. Those at the top of the social structure were spaniards, followed by creoles. and those born to serve. Creoles are people of pure spanish descent. Few spanish women emigrated, spanish was predominately male. Spaniards that came to the americas came for wealth. Beneath the spanish and creoles are the mestizos aka individuals of spanish/creole and indian parentage. Reflected how not many women were in spanish/creole society. Included many racial combos like those of african origin. Wide range of ethnicities, yet this was never fully accepted. Mestizos were concerned about being forced to pay tribute or serve the mita (as. Worried they"d be downgraded to indian status. Yet, slaves held a higher standing than indigenous people (indians) Slaves often associated with their creole/spanish owners, so during indian rebellions, slaves were killed as well.
