Castas, or castes, was a term used to describe the Christians, Jews and Muslims in the seventeenth century. Each caste of religion had a different role and set of privilege that went with said role.
The Christians had the most privileges and prestige compared to the other castes. Christians were able to hold political power were often in charge of wars or defending the country from enemies. Being involved in war was a great honor because it signified nobility, pride and honor for Spain. Other Christians who were not in the political hierarchy were usually small landowners or farmers.
Next on the tier were the Jews. The Jewish members of society controlled the learned professions. They were often barbers, cooks, dentists, doctors, and owners of small firms. The Jews also took care of the fiscal issues within the community. Jews were also very active in small businesses. Often times, the Jews would work for Christians collecting fees in the churches.
The Muslims were last on the social heirarchy. Muslims took care of the engineering, architecture, and agricultural work.
A state religion was soon imposed and the choice was given that Jews could either stay Jewish and leave Spain, or remain in Spain but convert to Christianity. After the change, society remained as divided as it was before, but instead of the division between Christians, Muslims, and Jews, the division was now between Old Christians, who were the Christians that never had to change, and New Christians, who were the converted Muslims and Jews.
The division of labor before the conversions stayed the same after the conversions. Jobs that were normally done by Muslims and Jews were still done by Muslims and Jews, or, New Christians. Old Christians, however, no longer participated in businesses because to them it meant being Jewish.
Even after a change in religion was forced upon the non-Christians of Spain, the division of labor between classes and religion stayed the same. Old Christians still held power over the Muslims and Jews, or, New Christians, even after they had converted to Christianity.
"Casta." Wikipedia. 1 Feb 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castas>.
Johnson, Carroll B.. Don Quixote: The Quest for Modern Fiction. Boston: Twayne Publishers
The Christians had the most privileges and prestige compared to the other castes. Christians were able to hold political power were often in charge of wars or defending the country from enemies. Being involved in war was a great honor because it signified nobility, pride and honor for Spain. Other Christians who were not in the political hierarchy were usually small landowners or farmers.
Next on the tier were the Jews. The Jewish members of society controlled the learned professions. They were often barbers, cooks, dentists, doctors, and owners of small firms. The Jews also took care of the fiscal issues within the community. Jews were also very active in small businesses. Often times, the Jews would work for Christians collecting fees in the churches.
The Muslims were last on the social heirarchy. Muslims took care of the engineering, architecture, and agricultural work.
A state religion was soon imposed and the choice was given that Jews could either stay Jewish and leave Spain, or remain in Spain but convert to Christianity. After the change, society remained as divided as it was before, but instead of the division between Christians, Muslims, and Jews, the division was now between Old Christians, who were the Christians that never had to change, and New Christians, who were the converted Muslims and Jews.
The division of labor before the conversions stayed the same after the conversions. Jobs that were normally done by Muslims and Jews were still done by Muslims and Jews, or, New Christians. Old Christians, however, no longer participated in businesses because to them it meant being Jewish.
Even after a change in religion was forced upon the non-Christians of Spain, the division of labor between classes and religion stayed the same. Old Christians still held power over the Muslims and Jews, or, New Christians, even after they had converted to Christianity.
"Casta." Wikipedia. 1 Feb 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castas>.
Johnson, Carroll B.. Don Quixote: The Quest for Modern Fiction. Boston: Twayne Publishers