For close to two hundred and ninety years Spain ruled Mexico. During this time Spain plundered Mexico
for many of its resources. At the same time a new race of people was developing in Mexico. These
people, mestizos, are a mixture of Spanish and Indian descent. These mestizos were not considered to be
any better than an Indian in Spanish society. Mestizos, being neither white nor Indian, greatly resented the
attitude of superiority that the Spanish had, while not identifying with the Indian population. Because of
this lack of identity, mestizo violence characterized much of colonial society. Thus, a tradition of violence
developed early in Mexico's history (Suchlicki, 40).
While the Indians and mestizos of Mexico struggled to survive, another class of people, Creoles, was
developing in the New World. The Creoles were Spanish, but born in the New World. Many of the
Creoles did well and prospered in this new society, yet they were excluded from the colonial
governments. This practice of excluding Spanish born in the New World from government positions, one
of many of the Bourbon Reforms, was meant to prevent any rebellions and restore order in the colonies.
Spain feared that these Creoles would become disloyal to the crown

the forefront. Juarez himself was a full blooded Indian. Juarez and the liberal reformers were victorious

repeated often in Mexican history" (Suchlicki, 60).