Chapter 16 review Spanish American Revolutions

First, Latin America led the world in transculturation or cultural blending. A new and distinct Latin American culture emerged mixing

1. Whites from Spain called Peninsulares, 2. Whites born in the Americas called creoles, 3. Native Americans, 4. African slaves.

Before independence, Latin American society was characterized by three institutions that exercised control over the population.

A. The first was the Spanish crown, or if you are Brazilian, the Portuguese crown. The job of the colonies was to produce revenue in the form of a 20% tax on everything that was called "the royal fifth." B. Secondly, the Catholic Church which even controlled time - the church bells tolled out the hours and they mandated a six day work week so that people could go to church on Sunday. C. And finally, there was patriarchy. In Latin America, like much of the world, husbands had complete control over their wives and children.