Final answer:
The strained relationship between the author and the Colquepata Mestizos was rooted in the colonial history of Latin America where mestizos, individuals of mixed European and indigenous ancestry, were marginalized. Contributions to this strain included the Spanish practice of forcibly creating relationships with indigenous women and economic hardships faced by mestizos due to policies like the Act of Consolidation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strained relationship between the author and the Colquepata Mestizos can be understood in the context of the historical background from the early colonial period up to the early 19th century in what is now Latin America. The Spanish conquest's social dynamics led to the creation of the mestizo identity, individuals of mixed indigenous and European descent. This mixed heritage often placed mestizos in a marginalized position within the colonial society's rigid caste system.
The relationship was particularly affected by the Spanish colonizers' practice of forming relationships with indigenous women, sometimes forcefully, which resulted in a significant population of mestizos. Native leaders like Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala criticized this practice for contributing to the neglect of mestizo children and the extra burden it placed on the native communities. Additionally, economic and social pressures, such as the cycle of bad harvests and the Act of Consolidation, exacerbated tensions between different social groups, including mestizos, who faced high unemployment and increased economic hardship.
The mestizo population, therefore, emerged from a backdrop of oppression, exploitation, and social instability. Known for their diverse roles in urban areas, including artisans and militia members, mestizos had complex and often contentious relationships with the different stratas of colonial society, including the author's interaction with the Colquepata Mestizos.