Psychology Essays (UOP)

Soc/337 Latin American Social Structure

Latin American Social Structure

Samantha Craig

Soc/337

12/07/2016

Introduction

When it comes to Latin America there are many different views and ideas that individuals may turn to. Most will still think of colonialism, which is the time of when one or two groups would put themselves above the rest of the individuals and use their power to seek out control or ownership of those that are deemed beneath them. This paper will cover the different types of hierarchical social structures that were founded during this time in Latin America. Along with explaining the relationship between the gender and ethnicity indicators, the socioeconomic conditions that prompted changes in these structures. Finally it will shine light on the attitudes of Latin America and compare it to another social system within the world. Then describe how gender, ethnicity and economic standings forced played a role in social change.

Types of Hierarchical Social Structures of Latin America Contrast

Social hierarchical Structures are seen in present day and in the past just as they were in the colonialism time for Latin America. According to (Dictionary, 2016) hierarchy "any system of persons or things ranked one above another." In order to do so in the colonial times it was more based on who owned what such as land, property and even laborers. This then created power to be upheld and controlled by those who gained such a privilege.

The first hierarchical that appeared in the colonialism times was obviously The Crown. This would be the Kings of Spain and Portugal when they took over Latin America from the Indians that made up its population. Sense it was overseas the Crown placed encomendero in these colonies which is the second tier to the social structure. This started in Spain as rewards for services to the Crown and was usually a property deed. When these were given to those who came to Latin America it gave that individual not only the right to land property but also to laborers. They would then demand tributes be made to them in order to keep from being punished. The Laborers were usually the natives of the land who always had a Cacique. This is the next hierarchy on the social structure. This Cacique was what many would refer to as a tribal leader. They were to decide whether or not they wanted to agree to the labor that the encomendero wanted. However, if they refused they would then be killed and replaced by someone who would be more suited to agreement.

Relationship between Gender and Ethnicity in Latin America

Gender as it has always been in many cultural pasts and countries histories has always played a vital role, the same can be said for the various ethnicities that come with it. In Colonial times Latin America mainly had men as the proprietors. However, there have been a few women who earned specific titles just as they did even when others tried to take it away. According to (Meade 2010) "The most celebrated conquistador was Inez de Suarez (1507-80), a Spanish woman who traveled to the Americas from a small town in Extremadura, Spain." She was able to earn a small encomienda upon her husband's death, which at that time was unheard of, and was able to maintain laborers on that property. Ethnicity had its own problems and that was mainly when Spain and Portugal both came to the Americas they decided that if they were not of title and the same color they would become laborers. This even happened with the Natives who had once called the colony their homelands. They had no rights or choices and if refused laborer they would be punished greatly for doing so. These laborers were also to pay tribute to their "masters/owners" in order to stay away from such a punishment that would seek them.

Socioeconomic condition prompted different changes

When change is introduced to any individual or social structure there is going to be different reactions that can be positive and peaceful to downright violent. Socioeconomic conditions prompted changes based on the fact that many of the natives that had made up Latin America before the conquesedors came and took lands and laborers had started to die off fast. It raised awareness to the extreme diseases and harsh punishments that would be followed by the owners. Occupation, money, food and education was main poor in many of the colonies and therefor the socioeconomic status was generally poor or below.

When this happened and times started to change it brought about petty crimes and violence to those who saw that it was their right to remain above the order while those who below it should stay where they were at. There was also violent outburst from those who were seen as laborers because they felt be little. This is still seen in present day Latin America as democracy has been taking place that many groups seem to be threatened by this change or see it as not helping the economy because change is not happening to every place at one time. One of the most notorious peaceful changes took place perhaps a bit too late to some was the book "A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies" that was brought in front of the Spanish Crown that showed proof that the natives of Latin America was dying at an uncanny rate and that it was because of sickness, being overworked, tortured and little care of their needs. When a rule passed for this treatment to stop "50-90 percent of indigenous population of Mexico was dead by disease and in Peru, 82 million died from being overworked or diseases." (Meade. 2010)

Latin American attitudes compared to similar social systems at that time

During the colonialism time in Latin America, the attitudes varied depending on who was being observed. Those who were in power and owned land where usually in favor with the Crown of Spain and was rewarded with the property and the ability of slave labor. They enjoyed that title and over indulged with their liberties. While those who had to work at bad attitudes over their people being overused and discarded. America was also being colonized at this time but by the English Crown. One of the major differences was the fact that the colonist chosen weren't soldiers or conquistadores but actual farmers, artists and laborers. While the Crown also set up parliaments which were chosen by those colonist to set guidelines. They also did not enslave the natives until later on when viewed as heathens who wouldn't give up land.

Conclusion

In conclusion, colonial Latin America had a lot going on when it came to how they gained power through land and laborers. It was a dark time for that country and they are still trying to get passed the views of how the socioeconomics took a turn downwards and was stuck in the past. They had very little trade work available and the attitudes upon the ruled government was varied between parties. It was a time were one group showed over dominance to another and nearly whipped out its history and people all together.

References

Meade, T. A. (2010). A history of modern Latin America: 1800 to the present. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell.