How was Mexican society divided under Spanish rule?
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1 point
By permitting the Mexican army to control the government
By allowing Native-born Spaniards to control all aspects of society
By having Indigenous tribes rule the Spanish capital
By enabling the poor to serve in the Mexican government
The correct answer is: By allowing Native-born Spaniards to control all aspects of society.
Mexican society under Spanish rule was primarily divided based on social hierarchy and racial classifications. Here are the main divisions:
1. Peninsulares: These were people born in Spain and held the highest social status. They controlled the government and occupied top positions in society.
2. Criollos: This group consisted of people of Spanish descent who were born in Mexico. They commonly filled middle-level positions in the government and society. While they had wealth and education, they faced restrictions on holding high-ranking positions due to their non-Spanish birth.
3. Mestizos: Mestizos were people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. They made up a significant portion of the population and occupied lower positions in society. They often faced discrimination and limited opportunities.
4. Indigenous Peoples: The Indigenous population, consisting of various tribes, held the lowest social status. They were subject to forced labor, tribute payments, and were often marginalized and exploited by the Spanish colonizers.
In summary, Mexican society under Spanish rule was divided based on racial and social hierarchies, with the Peninsulares at the top followed by the Criollos, Mestizos, and Indigenous Peoples.
Under Spanish rule, Mexican society was divided in a hierarchical structure based on racial and social categorization. This division was known as the caste system.
The key divisions in Mexican society under Spanish rule were as follows:
1. Peninsulares: These were people who were born in Spain and held the highest social status in Mexican society. They held the most political and economic power and dominated all aspects of society.
2. Criollos: This group consisted of people of Spanish descent who were born in Mexico. While they had more privileges than other groups, they were still subject to some restrictions imposed by the Peninsulares. Criollos were wealthy landowners, professionals, and merchants.
3. Mestizos: This group comprised individuals of mixed Spanish and Indigenous descent. They formed a significant portion of the population and often worked in lower-level jobs or as peasants.
4. Indigenous peoples: This group included the various Indigenous tribes and communities living in Mexico. They were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and faced significant discrimination and marginalization. They were often exploited for labor and had limited rights and opportunities.
5. African slaves: African slaves were brought to Mexico by the Spanish for labor purposes. They were considered the lowest class and were treated as property by their owners.
To summarize, the Mexican society under Spanish rule was divided based on racial and social categories, with the Peninsulares at the top, followed by the Criollos, Mestizos, Indigenous peoples, and African slaves.