Final answer:
The major social pattern between ethnic groups during Spanish rule in America was segregation and discrimination, as highlighted by the complex caste system and socioeconomic hierarchy present at the time. The Spaniards' obsession with racial purity was to maintain control and ensure their dominance, a dynamic that resulted in a unique mixed society in Spanish America distinguished from Anglo-American society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Social Patterns in Spanish America
The major social pattern between ethnic groups traced back to Spanish rule (1763-1803) was segregation and discrimination (b). This system was deeply ingrained in the colonial society of Spanish America, where a complex caste system was developed to categorize individuals based on their racial heritage. The Casta paintings of the colonial era depict this meticulous racial categorization, highlighting the association between skin color and socioeconomic status. The Spanish were concerned with racial categorization and "pure blood" for maintaining control over the colonies and ensuring the dominance of the European bloodline.
In the broader context of Spanish America, the Spanish colonial society was characterized by the existence of four major caste status levels: peninsulares, creoles, mestizos/pardos, and native/enslaved individuals. The Criollos, or individuals of European descent born in the Americas, occupied a distinct social group along with the peninsulares (Spanish born in Spain), and both were taxed and treated differently, leading to societal tensions. Cultural assimilation to the Spanish way of life was unsuccessful due to the imposed class structure, which ultimately created a distinctively mixed society, differing greatly from Anglo-American society, where racial mixing was much less prevalent.
Social Groups and Independence Movements
The main social groups in Bourbon Spanish America were Europeans, Africans, and natives, along with their mixed descendants like mestizos and mulattoes. During movements for independence, these social groups, especially the mestizos and creoles, became increasingly important as they engaged in revolutionary activities with various motivations, such as frustration over unequal treatment and greater autonomy from Spain.