Which of the following best describes the role of mestizos in colonial society?

Mestizos, individuals of mixed European and Indigenous descent, occupied a middle social tier in colonial society, particularly in regions such as New Spain. During the colonial period, social hierarchy was largely based on ethnicity and ancestry, with people from pure Spanish descent (peninsulares) at the top, followed by creoles (those of Spanish descent born in the Americas), then mestizos, and finally Indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans at the lower end of the spectrum.

This classification meant that mestizos had certain privileges and opportunities that were not available to Indigenous people, allowing many to engage in trade, own small businesses, or serve in various craft and agricultural roles. Though they were not at the top of the social order, their mixed heritage allowed them to navigate and sometimes improve their status in colonial society.

Understanding the unique position of mestizos helps illuminate the complexities of colonial social structures, where racial and ethnic mixtures created various levels of interaction and integration among the diverse populations in the New World.