AP World History Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The correct term for the descendants of Spanish-born individuals who were born in Latin America is "Creoles." During the colonial period in Latin America, people born in the colonies to Spanish parents were considered Creoles. They were distinct from "Peninsulares," who were those born in Spain but living in the colonies. Creoles often held significant social status and accumulated wealth, though they faced limitations in political power compared to the Peninsulares.

In the context of Hispanic America, Creoles played an essential role in the cultural and social dynamics of the colonial system. They contributed to the development of a unique Latin American identity, blending European heritage with local influences. The distinctions among these social classes had profound implications, influencing the structures of power, social interactions, and ultimately the independence movements in Latin America during the 19th century.

Mestizos, on the other hand, refer to individuals of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, highlighting a different social category related to racial heritage rather than solely a colonial lineage. Indigenous refers to the original inhabitants of the Americas, which also represents a separate group structured by ethnicity and cultural identity. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in grasping the complex societal hierarchies present in colonial Latin America.