Question

What were the negative and positive effects of the growing ethnic diversity in the colonies?

Answer 1

The growing ethnic diversity in the colonies, primarily in Spanish colonies had several consequences both positive and negative. On the positive side, there was a enrichment of cultures given the escenario where people from different parts of the world (Europe, Africa, indigenous people) and their traditions started to spread around the continent. It also helped to increase the population after the war (independence war, federalist wars, etc). On the negative side, it created a closed minded vision about the mixture of races and the purity of blood. At the same time, mixed race people ,depending on their parentage, could have more or less access to social, economic and political benefits.