The Spanish implemented four class
structures in North America. These are
the 1) Spaniards; 2) The Castes or groups with several races; 3) Indians; and, 4)
the Slaves.
The Spaniards would be the most elite of
the classes. They would hold the top or
most prominent positions in politics, businesses and other managerial
positions. In short, they lord over the
other class structures.
If you’re born from a mixed race, you will
automatically be classified under The Castes structure. This structure is
further classified into two: the mestizos and the mulattoes. If you’re born
with Indian and white parents, you’re labeled as a “mestizo”; if with black and
white parents, you’re called a mulattoe.
Members of this class were banned from having prominent and top
positions in the society.
Indians are considered captured or
dominated people under the Spanish colonial period. They make living as
farmers, fishermen or hunters.
The Slaves would be the lowest class
structure. Black people were the ones mostly classified under this
structure. They serve as slaves or pages
in the household of rich people.
