CASTAS OF EARLY LATIN AMERICA:
CREATING A qAR..ICATUBE
Directions: Groups will create a caricature to represent the major characteristics of the different castas
(social classes) thit developed during the early history of Latin America. Membership in a particular
casta usually translated into particular rights and privileges within Latin American society' The castas
were the peninsulares, Cre6les, mestizos, mulattoes, African slaves, and Indians. This social hierarchy
would influence Latin American culture and politics well into the modern era.
The caricature should represent key components of the casta that yow grotlp is assigned to create,
Below is a guide:
a
a
a
The caricature must have the name of the casta on the paper as a large, easy-to-read title.
Trace the outline of a person in your group to represent an average member of that casta.
F-or each of the key questions asked below regarding your casta, label the caricature with key
inforrnation in complete sentences that are legible to persons standing at a distance.
Lastly, add features to your caricature that reflect the lifestyle of your casta. For example, a
member of the Indian casta may have worked in the silver mines of Potosi in Peru, so adding a
mining pick in the Indian's hand would reflect this aspect of the casta's life.
Does your casta make any
demands? If so, what changes
would your casta like to see
enacted?
How many people belong to
your casta (compared to the
othersi?
What are jobs that your casta
holds?
(economy)
What does your casta wear
(textiles & fashion)? How is
it made? Where do the
materials come from?
Who are your superiors in
Latin American society?
(social hierarchy)
What does your casta believe?
(philo sophy/reli gion)
What is the ethnic
background of your casta?
(origins)
What is in your
casta's pockets?
(degree of wealth)
What do you trade? With
whom do you trade?
(commerce & production)
LATIN-AMERICAN INDEPDENCE MOVEMENTS
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Mexico
Brazil
Northern South America
(aka "Gran Colombia")
(aka "United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata)
Southern South America
Identify key commonalities between these 4 areas of Latin American independence movements.
(ex.: major causes, groups involved, social issues, etc.)