Colonial Latin America: Social Networks, Identity, and Consensus

Abstract: This is a 6 page paper discussing colonial Latin America in relations to the patron-client relationship and social classes. While colonial Latin America was segregated into a hierarchy of social and class systems with the Spanish elite at the top, the maintenance of the system was possible by the textured social networks within communities which existed before the introduction of the Spaniards but nevertheless added the elite Spaniards as the ruling class. The Spaniards did their best to degrade the culture of the Native Indians by introducing Spanish customs and religion and separating the communities into barrios however although the Indians observed these new customs in a public sense, their private identity still contained traditional cultural, familial and social elements. Largely the Spanish elite ruled with stability based on the belief in the class system which expected them to manage the communities with justice. When that expectation failed however, consensus among the lower classes was obtained and riots ensued which led the way to eventual independence. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

Filename: TJLatam1.rtf

Pages: 6

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Catagory:

Subcatagory: Colonial & Pre-Colonial America

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