Question

How did class divisions among the Spanish contribute to social unrest and calls for independence

Answer 1

Class divisions are often a reason for social unrest. This is because dividing society in classes, castes or other type of groups can create resentment among those in the lower classes, as they might believe that the upper classes unfairly benefit from some unearned privilege.

This was the case in the Spanish colonies. The colonies were interested in independence partly due to the differences that the Spanish created within society. While the Spanish Peninsulares had all political control and most of the wealth of the colonies, other groups such as the criollos, mestizos, mulatos, negros and indigenas were left out of politics with very few rights and liberties.

Answer 2

Spanish colonies had a Colonial Caste System that was designed mainly to maintain power, the caste system was based on race and was very complex. It was imposed by the Spanish government. The three main races were the Peninsulares, the Native Indians and the African Negros, there were also other castes of mixed races.

The Gauchapines were the Peninsulares that were born in Europe, they were considered socially superior, the others were socially and legally inferior to them. The castes were based in a race which meant that no one could move from one caste to another.

This strict structure contributed to the social unrest and the calls for independence since people wanted the same rights and were tired of people naming themselves better than others.