During the 300 years of colonial rule, the Spaniards felt and maintained their superiority as compared to anyone who not full-blooded Spainard. As a result, people were treated very poorly and were not given any opportunity for upward mobility. Throughout the many years of fighting, on 1821 Mexico got recognized as its own country. Yes, Mexico was finally free from the Spanish motherland, but they were not yet free from oppression. Hence the effort, the caste system, controversial land grants, and church system remained.
Oppression was taking place throughout the time period that the Spanish crown had been ruling—horrible punishments awaited those who tried to change the system. This is further explained in Occupied America A History of Chicanos…show more content… Consequntly, based on someones appearance and how “… Spanish the subject appeared the more privileges that person had” (Acuña, 34). During this time period, Miguel Hidalgo—a Criollo Spanish priest/ leader who helped initiate the start of Mexico’s independence—became aware of the of the injustice acts that were only targeted the impoverish. In fact, he saw the Spaniards executing was the Hacienda system. This is also explained in James Diego Vigil’s book From Indians To Chicanos. The Hacienda system “... was the practice of advancing Indians money or credit for future work” (Vigil, 78). In other words, if an Indian did not have enough to buy the necessities they needed to sustain their families, they would ask their employer to let them get more goods ahead of time to provide for their families. This did not only cause many families to be in debt, but it also enslaved many Indians to have to work for life. This was a vicious cycle many were going to be in for a long time because of the lack of opportunities that people had to get better paying jobs. Even after Mexico gained its Independance, the same structural organization was being used. For example, over 500 land grants were given out mainly to those who were of Criollo descent. Since those who were Criollos were the next closest to
