In Spain's American colonies, the criteria used to determine a person's social class was primarily based on the racial history of a person's family. This means that the social class of an individual was largely determined by their ancestry and racial background. The Spanish colonial society was stratified, with those of European descent at the top, followed by those of mixed heritage, and then indigenous people and enslaved Africans at the bottom.
For example:
1. Individuals who were of pure Spanish descent were typically placed in the highest social class.
2. People of mixed heritage, such as mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry) or mulattos (mixed European and African ancestry), occupied intermediate social positions.
3. Indigenous populations and enslaved Africans were often at the lowest rungs of the social hierarchy, facing discrimination and limited opportunities based on their racial backgrounds.
It's important to note that while factors like wealth, contributions to the Catholic Church, contributions to the Spanish military, or the ownership of slaves could have some influence on social standing, in Spain's American colonies, racial lineage and heritage were the predominant factors that determined a person's social class.
