Society and economy in Hispanic America

6. SOCIETY AND ECONOMY IN HISPANIC AMERICA THE COLONIAL ECONOMY - Hispanic America was forced to adopt a system of colonia dependency.

- - Their economy was aimed to satisfy the needs of he Spanish Monarchy.

- The indigenous population was considered inferior to the Spanish.

1. Mining - The first conqust provided large amounts of gold a silver.

- Mining was the most important sector in colonial America - Important silver mines in northern Mexico (Zacatecas) and Bolivia (Potosi) 2. Agriculture - Demand for food led to the creation of large cattle ranches for local production - Hacienda estates were created to provide prducts to be exported to other continents like cocoa, sugar or tobacco.

3. Craftsmanship - It was less developed to avoid competing with products from Europe.

- Craftsmen created all the goods that would be sold.

- People made furniture, horseshoes and ox shoes.

6. SOCIETY AND ECONOMY IN HISPANIC AMERICA

TRADE ROUTES - The Spanish crown ensured their trade monopoly controlling the seas through : - The house of Trade (Casa de Contrataciรณn)in Sevilla - Using a fleet system which grouped galleons together that regularly crossed the Atlantic.

- Europe brought grains, vehetables, grapes, olives, horses, pigs and sheep to America.

- American products like corn, potatoes, cocoa, tomatoes, and tropical fruits were exported to Europe.

6. SOCIETY AND ECONOMY IN HISPANIC AMERICA

THE NEW AMERIAN SOCIETY

- Conquest and colonisation produced a decline in the indigenous population.

- The main causes of death were due to the hard labour they were forced to carry out and the arrival of unknown illnesses to America (smallpox) for which natives had no natural defences.

6. SOCIETY AND ECONOMY IN HISPANIC AMERICA 1. Culture - The conquerors imposedtheir language, cutoms and religion on the people of the new territories.

- Indigenous cultures mostly dissappeared - Christian and the Spanish language became essential.

- Religious orders played an importany role in evangelisation and education - Some religious leaders tied to approach the natives and denouncing Spanish ‘s colonisation.

- The arts were a misture of European an local traditions(Andean Baroque and Mexican Baroque)

6. SOCIETY AND ECONOMY IN HISPANIC AMERICA 2. Social organisation -

Colonial society was organised in a caste system according to skin colour.

The main groups: 1 Peninsulares: - They were born in Spain.

- It was a dominant group and had the higgest government positions.

- They were usually landowners of the hacienda estates.

2. Criollos: - Tey were descendans of the peninsulares born in America.

- They belonged to the upper class - The crown tried to avoid giving them too much power.

- The peninsulares and criollos made up 1% of the total population and the had all the power.

6. SOCIETY AND ECONOMY IN HISPANIC AMERICA 3. Mestizos and Mulattoes; - Mestizos were he children of europeans and natives.

- Mulattoes were the children of europeans and africans - Zambos were the children of natives (amerindians) and negroes.

4. Amerindians: - The majority of population - They were considered socially inferior - Tey worked through an encomiendas system under the control of Spanish colonists.

5. Negroes; - They were taken by force from Africa to America to work as as slaves