Final answer:
The Spanish organized their colonies in the Americas through direct rule, tight control, and a hierarchical society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spanish organized their colonies in the Americas in various ways:
- Direct Rule: The Spanish Crown appointed trusted men called peninsulares to serve as viceroys, judges, governors, and mayors. These officials applied laws and regulations made by the Council of the Indies in Spain.
- Tight Control: The Spanish exerted tight control over their colonies economically and politically. They set up a direct system of governance to maintain control and tightly controlled colonial trade.
- Hierarchical Society: The Spanish believed in a hierarchical society, with themselves at the top of the social pyramid, followed by Native peoples and Africans. Women occupied a lower status.