Social factors in Latin America included the impact of sheep farming which led to the rise of small textile sweatshops operated by indigenous women. Multiracial societies developed hierarchies by color and status, as Indians, Europeans and Africans intermingled and produced mixed-race populations that formed a major segment of society. In this system of castas, Indian women faced sexual exploitation while the crown endorsed marriages to address the lack of European women, resulting in Europeans occupying the top and Africans and Indians at the bottom. Revolts were hindered by sharp social divisions until Spain and Portugal were weakened by turmoil in Europe in the late 18th century.