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Colonial SocietySpanish Colonies divided into

two worldsRepublica de indios (Republic of

Indians)

Republica de espaoles (Republic of

Spaniards) The two worlds were never complete as

race mixture blurred the boundaries

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Early Spanish Womens RolesProstitution

1527- Licensed brothels in PuertoRico and Santo Domingo

Fighting alongside the men

Doa Isabel de Guevaraparticipated in the conquest ofLa Plata

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Early Indigenous Womens RolesConsidered part of the conquest

of the New World

Rape was common

Given by the indigenous men as

gifts to cement alliances withthe Spaniards

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MarriageKing of Spain

Insisted that married men bring

their wives to the New WorldEncouraged the export of eligibleyoung women to marry off in the

colonies1540s- one Spanish woman for each

seven or eight men

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MarriageMarriages were arranged to

benefit family wealth andpositionMarriage linked

encomenderos, miners,government officials, andmerchants

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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 mestizoand mulatto children

Indigenous and African mothers Spanish women were to live a pure life of

seclusion

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Patriarchal OrganizationSpanish daughters were destinedfor matrimony or religious orders

Expected toRemain virgins until their

marriage

To live a life separated frommen except fathers, husbands,and sons

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Elite Colonial Womens RolesWidows were frequently executors of mens willsand guardians of their children Created greater societal pressure to remarry

Some were left in charge of encomiendas whentheir husbands traveled

Some wealthy women were active in the businessworld Invested in real estate or manufacturing Bought and sold slaves

Took a direct role in the administration of theirproperties

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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 theupper classes

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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