Social inequality
Expulsion of jesuits from New Spain in 1767
Bourbon reforms diminished the power of the church
The army was given its own special courts as well as other privileges
Immunitites
Privileges that are granted to different social groups
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Colonial society distinguished by classism and racism
Promoted strong social tensions which manifested themselves in different ways
Divided by cultural and ethnic differences
The indigenous people were the least beneficiated from the development of New Spain
The peninsular spanish and creole population shared the wealth of the colony
Mestizos were perceived to lack a "full" identity
They were a conglomeration of races that would later be the basis of our current population
In the late 18th century and early 19th century, New Spain experienced a boom in economy for the benefit of the Spanish crown
However, the Bourbon reforms augmented the social gap, generating wealth for one side of society and extreme poverty for the other
Social classes were heterogeneous
18th century was a time of mayor changes in New Spain
Bourbon reforms disrupted many of the structures of administration and economy
In addition, significant economic growth led to different effects
Much of the communal lands were soon absorbed by haciendas and ranches that were expanding
Converting the traditional indigenous people into peasant laborers
The indigenous were the group that most suffered the effects of social inequality