Final answer:
In the 1850s, Californios were seen as second-class citizens by Anglo Americans, losing land and status due to discriminatory practices and legislation, such as the Greaser Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1850s, Anglo Americans perceived the previously wealthy and powerful Californios —the Hispanic landowners of California— negatively and in many cases as second-class citizens. Due to the massive influx of Anglo settlers following events like the Gold Rush, Hispanic Americans found themselves outnumbered and often marginalized.
Despite some early instances of cooperation, racial and cultural tensions rose as corrupt state and local governments, as well as influential business interests, favored White people in land disputes. This led to Californios losing their status, land holdings, and much of their influence to new settlers and government interests.
Laws like California's Greaser Act of 1885 further marginalized Hispanics, targeting them with racist legislation under the guise of vagrancy laws.
The Californios who once held vast lands and power in the region were largely dispossessed and relegated to laborers on the lands they once owned, and inequality and discrimination became pervasive.