In the 1700s latin political and social life was dominated by?

In the 1700s, Latin American political and social life was primarily dominated by colonial powers, particularly Spain and Portugal. The rigid social hierarchy was marked by a Caste System that privileged European-born elites over creoles, mestizos, and indigenous populations. This period also saw the rise of Enlightenment ideas, which fueled revolutionary sentiments and calls for independence from colonial rule. The combination of social stratification and Enlightenment thought ultimately set the stage for the independence movements that emerged in the early 19th century.