Social Hierarchies in Mexican History

The Aztecs came to the valley of Mexico in the 1200s and established their capital, Tenochtitlan, in They built an empire that extended throughout southern Mexico.

The Aztec Era: (1325 – 1521) Royalty: emperor, his wives, members of the royal family Nobility: high priests, military officers, government leaders Warriors: if distinguished in war, could rise to noble class Commoners & slaves: farmers, servants, merchants

After Cortes and his army conquered the Aztecs in 1521, they and other Spanish ruled the colony of New Spain (modern-day Mexico, Central America, and southwestern US) for the Kingdom of Spain.

Colonial Era (1521 – 1821) Peninsulares: Spaniards born in Spain but living in New Spain; owned land and held political power Criollos: Spaniards born and raised in New Spain, the sons & daughters of Peninsulares; were wealthy, but less power than Peninsulares

Mestitzos: people of mixed European and Indian descent; usually worked for Spaniards on large haciendas; little to no political power Indians: indigenous peoples, including Aztecs and other groups; many were slaves for Spaniards on large haciendas

Except for the Peninsulares, each class on the social hierarchy had reasons to resent Spanish colonial rule. Mestizos and Indians started a revolt for independence in 1810; criollo leaders took over the movement and won independence from Spain in 1821.

The Independence Era (1810 – 1920) Criollos: rose to the top to hold most of the political power when Mexico gained independence from Spain Mestizos: population grew significantly; still had little political power Indians: population declined after independence; still had little to no political power

After the Mexican Revolution, social and economic class lines began to blur. Racial divisions became economic. For example, the majority of Mexicans today are mestizos culturally and racially. Yet, racial Mestizos may be poor, middle class, or wealthy.

Contemporary Mexico (1920 – 1995) Upper Class: mostly white from Spanish descent: own land and/or businesses; great political power Middle Class: mostly Mestizo; work as merchants, waiters, government employees; little political influence Lower Class: mostly Indian: work as maids, poor farmers; little to no political power