Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2026 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Peninsulares were Spanish-born individuals who lived in the New World, primarily during the colonial period in Latin America. They held a privileged social and political status within the colonial hierarchy, as they were considered the highest rank in the caste system that developed in the colonies. Their heritage directly from Spain granted them access to the best positions in government, the church, and the economy. This reflected the broader patterns of colonial rule, where European powers often placed their own nationals in key roles to control and administer their colonies.

In contrast, other groups such as local indigenous leaders, Africans brought to work on plantations, and children of mixed descent—known as mestizos and mulattos—held lower social standings. These groups faced various limitations in terms of societal status and political power due to the prevailing caste system, which reinforced the dominance of Peninsulares over other populations in colonial society.