Question

Analyze the charts below and answer the question that follows.
4 pyramids. Data is listed from top to bottom. Pyramid 1: Mulattos, Mestizos, Criollos, Peninsulares, Amerindians and slaves. Pyramid 2: Criollos, Mestizos, Peninsulares, Mulattos, Amerindians and slaves. Pyramid 3: Peninsulares, Criollos, Mestizos, Mulattos, Amerindians and slaves. Pyramid 4: Mestizos, Peninsulares, Mulattos, Criollos, Amerindians and slaves.

Which of the class pyramids above correctly shows the race-based class system used in the Spanish colonies in the Americas?
A.
One (1)
B.
Two (2)
C.
Three (3)
D.
Four (4)

Answer 1

C. Pyramid Three.

The Spanish colonial caste system ranked Peninsulares (Spain-born) highest, then Criollos (American-born Spaniards), then mixed groups (Mestizos above Mulattos), with Amerindians and enslaved Africans at the bottom.