Race and Social Order

Presentation By: Matthew Bishop

Global Migration and Integration

The discovery of the Indies resulted in the movement and mixing of many cultures.

Whether it be the need for a reliable workforce, the physical needs of men, or their genuine desire for companionship, European, African, and American cultures were forever changed.

This time period spawned new races, subcultures, and social classes that struggled to find their place.

The Slave Trade Companies brought along African slaves as

servants, laborers, and some as armed escorts. The use of slaves was frowned upon by the

King but the amount of slaves brought along grew quickly.

This large population shift resulted in the commingling of Africans, Indians, Spaniards, and combinations all.

The Spanish reliance on the slaves as their help in hostile territory resulted in them being assigned to a wide range of roles, sometimes encroaching upon existing European social classes.

Hybridization

The most common relation was that between a Spaniard and an Indian which gave birth to a mestizo.

The offspring of a Spanish woman and an African man was deemed a mulatto.

Castizos were the result of relations between a mestizo and a Spanish woman.

Moriscos were what resulted from a Spaniard and a mulatto woman.

Many other classifications were given for other combinations of people.

The Delicate Social Order With these hybrid races being developed, the

Spaniards struggled to maintain their undiluted social system.

Governors attempted to maintain a set social structure by preaching that social classes and hierarchy are established by God and must be adhered to.

Further development of the colonies reinforced the traditional social structure.

However, the empowerment felt by some within the mixed races slowed its establishment in the Americas.

Road to Riches

Another threat to the European social system was the substantial wealth obtained by successful conquistadors.

Companies that made expeditions to the Americas were primarily filled with members of the middle class.

Those middle class members often made out with upper class fortunes.

In rare circumstances, black conquistadors obtained comparable rewards which far exceeded their social class.

Publicity There are a number writings that criticize that

methods the Spanish used to subjugate the people of the Indies.

Bartolomé de las Casas was a Dominican friar deemed the “Protector of the Indians.”

He spoke out against the atrocities that were committed.

Most notable of his criticisms was his book A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies.

Another notable “black legend” writer was Julián Juderías.