What was the social structure of Latin America during the colonial period?

Answer 1

There were basically four classes of people. At the top of the food chain were espanoles. These were people of 'pure Spanish blood'--which was a mixture of native Iberian, Celtic, Goth, Visigoth, Teuton, North African Arab, Moor, and a few others--who were born in Spain. Just below them were the 'creoles.' These were people of 'pure Spanish blood' who were born in the Americas. Then there were the Mestizos. Below them were the Indians--pure native Americans whom the Conquistadors regarded, essentially, as vermin to be exterminated if possible, or enslaved if there were too many to kill.

The top societal level were also called Peninsulars. Following that were the children of Peninsulars called Creoles. Although these children were the children of "pure-blood" Europeans, they were considered less-than them because they were raised outside of Europe. The third level were the Mestizos. These people were the children of a Creole and Native American. The level just preceding the Native Americans, were the Mulattoes, a person of African and European heritage. Africans were on the fourth tier, above Native Americans because they were enslaved so they had an economic contribution to the European plantations (haciendas).

Answer 2

A societal hierarchy based on color remained in force. Indian women suffered sexual exploitation from Europeans, and the crown sponsored marriages in a society where there were few European women. The result was mestizo population possessing higher status than Indians. A similar process occurred in colonies with large African slave populations. American realities had created new social distinctions based on race and place of birth. Europeans were always at the top; African slaves and Indians occupied the bottom. Mestizos filled the intermediate categories. Distinctions grew between Spaniards born in Spain (peninsulares) and the New World (Creoles). Women were under male authority; upper-class women were confined to household occupations, but many from the lower class participated in the economy.