The Spanish caste system in colonial America was a rigid social hierarchy that classified individuals based on race and origin. At the top were Peninsulares, born in Spain, followed by Criollos, Spanish-born individuals born in the Americas. Below them were Mestizos, mixed-race individuals, then Native Americans, and at the bottom, African slaves. This system was reinforced by ruling institutions, race laws, and the economy, which favored landowning Peninsulares and Criollos. The Spanish conquest and subsequent settlement played a significant role in establishing this hierarchy, while the Catholic Church played a crucial role in its social control and cultural influence.
