University History: Caste, Slavery, and Independence in Latin America

This discussion post explores the intertwined themes of caste, slavery, and the fight for independence in Latin America during the 1800s. It examines the impact of Spanish and Portuguese colonialism, highlighting the exploitation of indigenous populations and the imposition of strict social hierarchies. The post analyzes the role of slavery, the caste system, and the subjugation of women within this context. It then shifts to the independence movements, discussing the factors that led to the decline of Spanish rule, the rise of Creole leadership, and the contributions of figures like Simon Bolivar. The post also underscores the persistence of social inequalities even after independence, including the continued subjugation of women and the maintenance of hierarchical structures. The provided solution uses the textbook to answer the discussion questions and cites the source.

Running head: CASTE, SLAVERY AND INDEPENDENCE
CASTE, SLAVERY AND INDEPENDENCE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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CASTE, SLAVERY AND INDEPENDENCE
Response to Question 1
Spain and Portugal ruled Latin America for three centuries. Despite resistance to
exploitation, the social evil of slavery and the caste system were influential in the 1800s.
Latin America always faced the hierarchy of race which resulted in continuous conquests
were being made. During the first invasion of Spain who comes to the Caribbean to extract
gold ked to the annihilation of the Arawaks. Soon there was a demand for silver in Spanish
America where indigenous people were hired as slaves to work in the mines of Potosi
(Chasteen 56). Mines connected the colonies to Europe. Indigenous women too were slaves
in the hands of the colonisers as they had to wove cloth for the miners and were physically
exploited as well. Women had no freedom and identity. Either they had to marry and bear
children or lead the life of a nun (Chasteen 62). The colonised people of Latin America and
African slaves had to accept the domination of their colonisers. Th Eslaves had to take the
religion of the Europeans. A strict caste division was maintained. All the church officials
were of European origin. The indigenous people were not allowed to question the church
officials. People had to pay tithe (tax) to the church. Educational institutions too were made
religious. The church dominated every sphere of an individual's life which was nothing less
than slavery. Patriarchy was another way of governing the less inferior women of the time
(Chasteen 65). Women were punished for fornication whereas the men walked away without
any punishment. Women were bound to live under the control of men. Indigenous and the
African people as they were the slaves had to accept the Iberian kings. However, the slaves
practised their African traditions under the guise of the Catholic religion (Chasteen 67). The
people who were at the top of the hierarchy were always at the top and outlined the basic
principles of new cultural forms. Urban slaves were better off than the plantation slaves. The
former could socialise with the people of Africa. Slaves also worked as artisans. Iberian
Kings categorised people according to castes- education, money and clothing. During the

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baptism, a person’s caste was decided. Low caste people could not become priests (Chasteen
87). The superiority of the whites was felt in every sphere, even in marriage. Though there
were mixed races of children being born, they were categorised according to the caste system
made by the Whites. Thus, it can be seen that caste and slavery came in different forms in
Latin America. The indigenous people were sometimes not even aware that they are victims
of such social evils.
Response to Question 2
Latin American freedom was a sudden and unexpected one and created the first
constitutional republics (Chasteen 95). Carlos IV was an incompetent ruler who left his
administration in the hands of a hated minister. Misrule had led to several wars which left the
Crown bankrupt as a result of which taxes were increased. Trade suffered a lot as Atlantic
sails dropped. Spain could not escape from the consequences of the French Revolution and
Napoleon imprisoned the Spanish king (Chasteen 98). All these factors helped Latin America
to gain independence. French revolutionaries wanted to do away with monarchy and establish
a Republican government. With all the background disturbance Spanish America too became
involved in protracted fights. The central Junta were a group of representatives from Spain
which did not consider the Spanish American people; therefore, they rejected its dictates.
Creoles were a group of people who were disliked the Peninsular (Chasteen 101). The latter
got the best government offices, had access to wealth as well as power than the Creoles for
which Spain's were hated. The Creoles were able to win independence because of their
strategy of nativism. The latter glorified American identity. During the year of 1810s Spanish
America was going through a political and military upheaval while Brazil was undisturbed by
any of the activities that were happening in these regions (Chasteen 109). Brazil due to
Portuguese actions finally got its independence by the end of 1823 and maintained the social
hierarchy. After the defeat of Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, the native of

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Spanish Americans gained momentum. Guerrilla fighters remained strong at Mexico but were
finally defeated by the Creole army and Mexico gained their independence. Simon Bolivar
was a leader of the liberals who played an important role in freeing Spanish America. He
even with his army, freed Peru. Natives resented both the Spanish and Portuguese people
because they created colonial inferiority (Chasteen 109). Finally, all the Latin American
regions were released from the clutches of Spanish colonialism. Incompetent administration
and monarchial government led to the decline of the Spanish colonisation. However, not
many changes were made in Latin America after its independence. They still followed the old
hierarchical system along with subjugation of women, and patriarchy was still the order of
the day (Chasteen 116). By freeing slaves, supporting the mobilisation organised by the
mestizos, indigenous people and including the Americanos irrespective of their colour, the
leaders of Creole from Argentina to Mexico brought independence in the land of Latin
America.

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References
Chasteen, John Charles. Born In Blood And Fire. 4th ed., W.W. Norton & Co., 2016.