What term describes individuals of mixed Spanish and Indigenous heritage?

The term that describes individuals of mixed Spanish and Indigenous heritage is "Mestizos." This classification emerged during the colonial period when Spanish colonizers and Indigenous peoples intermarried, leading to a distinct group that possessed both cultural and genetic heritage from these two backgrounds. Mestizos often occupied a middle social status in the colonial caste system, which also included categories such as Peninsulares (those born in Spain), Creoles (people of Spanish descent born in the Americas), and Mulattos (individuals of mixed Spanish and African heritage).

The socio-political dynamics of colonial societies in Latin America made the understanding of identities based on mixed ancestry critical. For instance, Mestizos often played significant roles in local economies and societies and sometimes even challenged the social hierarchies established by the Spanish colonial authorities. Understanding the term "Mestizos" in this context highlights the complexities of colonial identity and social stratification during that era.