Question

Explain the Spanish class system used in the American colonies. How did Spanish settlers divide themselves into categories? What rights and privileges did each of these categories receive?

Answer 1

The highest-class citizens of New Spain were the peninsulares, or people who were born in Spain. The second class were the criollos, or people whose parents were born in Spain. The third class were the mestizos, or people of mixed Spanish and American Indian heritage. The next class were mulattos, or people of mixed Spanish and African heritage. The lowest class were African slaves.

Step-by-step explanation:

correct on edge....

Answer 2

They were divided by the means of race if you born in the colonies you were a Criollo and if you were born in Espana (Spain) you were a Peninsular. Peninsulars were the high class which held high government and military positions will the Criollo were the working class.