The Peninsulares refer to Spaniards in the 1500s-1800s who were born in Spain, but who moved to the colonies (be they in the New World or the Philippines). The Peninsulares were so called because the came from the Spanish Peninsula.
The children of Peninsulares who were born in the colonies (but still entirely European blood) were called Criollos.
Criollos were individuals of Spanish descent born in the Americas, while peninsulares were Spanish-born individuals living in the Americas. Criollos often held lower social status compared to peninsulares and were frustrated by the preferential treatment given to the peninsulares by the Spanish colonial government.
They were all social classes in colonial Latin America.
Peninsulares Criollos Mestizos Freed Slaves Indians Black Slaves
Peninsulares are at top of society and came to Mexico from Spain. They held the most important government jobs, and made up the smallest number of the population. Criollos were the next highest in society. They were people of Spanish descent who were born in Mexico. They were prohibited from having the highest government posts. They eventually resented the fact that their opportunities were limited by the peninsularies.
Peninsulares Criollos Mestizos Freed Slaves Indians Black Slaves
Peninsulares Criollos Mestizos Freed Slaves Indians Black Slaves
They were all controlled by the peninsulares who were back in Spain. And they were all born in the Americas.
Peninsulares were individuals born in Spain who held high-ranking positions in colonial Mexico, while criollos were people of Spanish descent born in the Americas. This social hierarchy created tensions, as criollos felt marginalized despite their wealth and education, leading to increasing resentment towards the peninsulares' dominance. The desire for greater political power and recognition among criollos contributed significantly to the Mexican War of Independence, as they sought to challenge the established colonial order and assert their rights. This class conflict played a crucial role in galvanizing support for the independence movement.
Criollos and mestizos in New Spain resented the peninsulares primarily due to social and economic inequalities. Despite being born in the colonies and often holding significant local knowledge and resources, criollos faced discrimination and were frequently denied high-ranking government positions, which were reserved for peninsulares, or those born in Spain. This exclusion fostered feelings of frustration and resentment, as both groups sought greater autonomy and recognition of their contributions to colonial society. Additionally, the peninsulares' perceived elitism and cultural superiority further fueled tensions between these social classes.
Spaniards, also known as Peninsulares, qualified as such; they were followed by the criollos, or descendants of Spanish immigrants born in the New World.
They both wanted church and government positions in the Americas, and Creoles resented the fact that the government favored peninsulares.
The social class system in Spanish America was based on a hierarchy that included peninsulares (those born in Spain), criollos (those of Spanish descent born in the Americas), mestizos (those of mixed indigenous and European ancestry), indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans. Peninsulares held the highest social status, followed by criollos, while mestizos, indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans occupied lower positions in society.