Colonial life was developed in the territories located north of the river Biobío. There were consolidated different social groups, each with their own lifestyle. These groups differed in their origin and economic means at their disposal. As a result, the social classes were very well defined.
Spanish and descendants
There was a large group, because in general there were few Spanish who took up residence in America. The Spanish who came directly from Spain were called peninsular and generally held positions in the government, were related to the church or the army, or were engaged in trade. The Spanish children born in America were called Creoles.
The aristocracy was made by the Spaniards and Creoles. They were the owners of the lands to be descendants of the conquerors. Also, they had the power in their hands, enjoying relative wealth and well educated. They chose to public office.
There were also targets belonging to the middle sectors of society. They were merchants and artisans, clerks and army officers who had arrived after the Conquest. Their cultural level was lower than the aristocrats and had no influence on government decisions.
Indigenous
After the conquest, the Spanish settled permanently in the territory between Copiapo and Biobío River. The Indians who lived in this territory were divided into entrusted to execute the forced labor that required conquerors. Most of them died during the first century of the Conquest, because their lands were stolen, and forced to work in very bad conditions, performing heavy work, such as gold mines.
As they were weak were prey to diseases brought by the conquerors, unknown to them. Periodically smallpox, typhoid, measles, bubonic plague and influenza attack the population, diminishing considerably. Then there is the separation that made the colonists of indigenous families: husband and wife often lived in different places and they had no children.
Over time, the natives quickly lost the characteristics of their culture, adopting the language and religion of their conquerors
Although the Crown made extensive efforts to protect the Indians, their measures were useless, this group being reduced to a minimum.
Mestizos, mulattoes
The mestizos emerged of contact between the Spanish conquistadors and Indian women. As virtually no Spanish women came to Chile (could only come to America if they were married), the conquerors took Indian women with whom procreated children of mixed blood. There were Spanish who had more than ten children with different Indian women. Mestizos joined each other in turn increasing their proportion increasing, becoming the largest group.
Mestizos lived mostly in the countryside, where they worked as laborers and also undertaking work in the mines. They lived a very poor existence, due to missing workplaces and often indulged in idleness and vice.
The position of the mestizo was difficult because they had a clear identity as developed loyalties both to the Spanish as to the Indians, in itself antagonistic groups. A similar fate ran the mulattoes, who also occupied a very definite place in society.
Black
Many of them arrived as slaves of the conquerors. Proved very faithful servants because they aroused the suspicion of the Indians since, by its color and the brand they had on the cheek, were easily distinguishable.
Virtually unable to flee because they were quickly rounded up and returned to their masters. Later, during the colonial period, became house servants. Many of them were skilled craftsmen.
Also were assigned work in the gold mines and on the farms, where they worked as foremen, or managers of livestock winemakers. The women spent on housework, preparing bread or making garments.
Generally, slaves were well treated and that were very expensive. Its high price is explained by the difficulty to bring them to a country so remote.
