<P> In the sixteenth century , the term casta , a collective category for mixed - race individuals , came into existence as the numbers grew , particularly in urban areas . The crown had divided the population of its overseas empire into two categories , separating Indians from non-Indians . Indigenous were the República de Indios , the other the República de Españoles , essentially the Hispanic sphere , so that Spaniards , Blacks , and mixed - race castas were lumped into this category . Official censuses and ecclesiastical records noted an individual 's racial category , so that these sources can be used to chart socio - economic standard , residence patterns , and other important data . </P>
<P> In the sixteenth century , the term casta , a collective category for mixed - race individuals , came into existence as the numbers grew , particularly in urban areas . The crown had divided the population of its overseas empire into two categories , separating Indians from non-Indians . Indigenous were the República de Indios , the other the República de Españoles , essentially the Hispanic sphere , so that Spaniards , Blacks , and mixed - race castas were lumped into this category . Official censuses and ecclesiastical records noted an individual 's racial category , so that these sources can be used to chart socio - economic standard , residence patterns , and other important data . </P>
when was the social class system in latin america created
when was the social class system in latin america created
the sixteenth century
the sixteenth century