Question

source b: the casta system painting commissioned by the spanish crown + secondary source description)
context: this text describes the casta system and the paintings that represented it in the 18th century.
the casta system was a social and racial hierarchy used by the spanish elite to classify the mixed-race population. a persons casta (lineage) determined their social status, legal rights, and economic opportunities. this system was visualized in casta paintings. these were sets of 16 portraits that showed a man and woman of different races... and the child they produced, who was given a new casta label... the paintings attempted to show a \scientific\ explanation for classifying white spaniards at the top and african slaves at the bottom.

who is the author?\twhat rhetorical strategy are they using? how do you know (use evidence from the text)?(ethos, pathos, logos)\twhy are they using this rhetorical strategy? (in other words, what is their main goal?)
the author is the spanish crown secondary source\t\t

Explanation:

For Rhetorical Strategy:

The author (Spanish Crown - Secondary Source) uses Logos. The text states the casta system “attempted to show a ‘scientific’ explanation” for racial hierarchy, using supposed logical/scientific reasoning (classifying groups with lineage - based labels, structuring hierarchy as “scientific”) to justify the social order. Evidence: “The paintings attempted to show a ‘scientific’ explanation for classifying white Spaniards at the top and African Slaves at the bottom” and the system’s structure (lineage determining status, legal rights, etc.) relies on logical - seeming categorization.

For Goal:

The main goal is to legitimize the casta system (racial/social hierarchy) by framing it as “scientific”. This justifies Spanish elite control, maintains social order (with whites at the top, slaves at the bottom), and reinforces their power by making the hierarchy appear rational/inevitable via “scientific” rhetoric.

Answer:

What Rhetorical Strategy:

Logos. The text uses claims of a “scientific” explanation for classifying racial groups (e.g., casta labels based on lineage, structured hierarchy) to appeal to logic.

Why Use This Strategy:

To legitimize the casta system (racial/social hierarchy) by presenting it as rational/scientific, thereby justifying Spanish elite power and the social order (whites at the top, slaves at the bottom).