Colonial Society

Spanish Colonies divided into

two worlds
Republica de indios (Republic of

Indians) Republica de espaoles (Republic of Spaniards)

The two worlds were never complete as race mixture blurred the boundaries

Early Spanish Womens Roles

Prostitution
1527- Licensed brothels in Puerto

Rico and Santo Domingo Fighting alongside the men Doa Isabel de Guevara participated in the conquest of La Plata

Early Indigenous Womens Roles

Considered part of the conquest of the New World
Rape was common

Given by the indigenous men as

gifts to cement alliances with the Spaniards

Marriage
King of Spain
Insisted that married men bring

their wives to the New World Encouraged the export of eligible young women to marry off in the colonies 1540s- one Spanish woman for each seven or eight men

Marriage
Marriages were arranged to

benefit family wealth and position Marriage linked encomenderos, miners, government officials, and merchants

Patriarchal Organization
Male head of the family dominated the household

and its businesses

Mozambos had control over the plantation, slaves,

and tenants

Men expanded their families to include mestizo

and mulatto children

Indigenous and African mothers

Spanish women were to live a pure life of

seclusion

Patriarchal Organization
Spanish daughters were destined

for matrimony or religious orders Expected to Remain virgins until their marriage To live a life separated from men except fathers, husbands, and sons

Elite Womens Roles

Iberian women enjoyed more freedoms than their

European sisters Women retained their family names when married

Both paternal and maternal surnames were passed

on to the children

Women owned half the property of their

marriages and inherited equally with their brothers

Elite Colonial Womens Roles

Widows were frequently executors of mens wills

and guardians of their children

Created greater societal pressure to remarry

Some were left in charge of encomiendas when

their husbands traveled Some wealthy women were active in the business world
Invested in real estate or manufacturing Bought and sold slaves Took a direct role in the administration of their

properties

Lower Class Womens Roles

Participated in many occupations Tried to work in their homes Rented rooms Took in sewing jobs Worked as spinners, producers and sellers of brandy,

bakers, healers, midwives, seamstresses, potters, candle makers, innkeepers, and landladies Dominated the local market
Selling food, produce, and handicrafts
Frequently worked as domestics in the homes of the

upper classes

New World Womens Hierarchy

Spanish and Portuguese-born Women
Descendants of the Spanish and Portuguese-born

women
Creoles (Spanish America) Mazombos (Portuguese Brazil)

Indigenous and African Women Mixed Race Women Products of European Men and Indigenous or African Women