Final answer:
The term casta in Spanish America referred to a social hierarchy based on inherited characteristics, such as race and ethnicity. The caste system was enforced by laws and had legal and social ramifications. Casta paintings depicted the different racial classifications in Spanish colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Spanish America, the term casta referred to a social hierarchy based on what were thought to be inherited characteristics, such as race and ethnicity.
The caste system in Spanish America had multiple classifications, which reflected the diversity of the population. The system was rigidly enforced by laws and had legal ramifications and social interaction restrictions.
Racial status played a significant role in determining social position, and individuals were placed in different castes based on their European, native, and African heritage. This caste system was depicted in casta paintings, which portrayed the different racial classifications found in Spanish colonies in the Americas.