Which of the following groups would be considered the lowest in the Casta system hierarchy?

In the Casta system, which was a social hierarchy established in colonial Spanish America, Indigenous people were considered the lowest group within this structure. This system categorized individuals based on their racial and ethnic backgrounds, with various groups being assigned different social statuses and privileges.

Indigenous people, who were the original inhabitants of the Americas, faced significant discrimination and marginalization after the arrival of Europeans. They were often subjected to forced labor and their rights were heavily restricted. The Casta system placed them at the bottom of the hierarchy, meaning they had the least power and social status compared to other groups like Peninsulares, Creoles, and Mestizos.

Peninsulares, born in Spain and residing in the colonies, held the highest status due to their European lineage. Creoles, descendants of Spanish settlers born in the New World, came next in the hierarchy. Mestizos, individuals of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, occupied a position above Indigenous peoples but below both Peninsulares and Creoles. This stratification heavily influenced social interactions, economic opportunities, and political power during the colonial period. Understanding this hierarchy sheds light on the complexities of colonial rule and the ongoing impact of these social structures.