Racial hierarchies

Definition

Racial hierarchies refer to systems that rank different racial or ethnic groups based on perceived superiority or inferiority. In this context, it pertains to how Spanish colonizers assigned different societal roles, privileges, and rights based on race.

Related terms

Casta system: This was a hierarchical classification system used in Spanish America that categorized individuals based on their mixed-race heritage.

Mulattoes: Individuals with both African and European ancestry who occupied an intermediate position within the casta system.

Indigenous peoples: Native inhabitants of America who suffered under discriminatory policies imposed by European colonizers.