After Mexican Independence in 1821, the treatment of indigenous peoples in Mexico underwent significant changes, but the outcomes varied widely depending on the region and the specific circumstances.
In general, indigenous peoples lost many of the protections that had been afforded to them under Spanish colonial rule. The Spanish Crown had implemented laws (e.g., the New Laws of 1542) aimed at protecting indigenous peoples from exploitation and granting them certain rights. However, after independence, these protections became less enforceable, and the new Mexican government often prioritized land and resources for mestizos (people of mixed indigenous and European descent) and landowners, leading to increased marginalization of indigenous communities.
While the Constitution of 1824 recognized some rights for indigenous peoples and aimed to integrate them into the nation, the reality often fell short. Land reforms, such as the liberal policies of the mid-19th century, led to land dispossession for many indigenous communities. The government frequently sought to assimilate indigenous peoples, undermining their autonomy and traditional practices.
Although there were efforts at reform and some improvements in legal recognition, the overall trend after independence was toward increased hardship for indigenous peoples, including economic exploitation and loss of land.
Based on your options, the most accurate statement would be: Indigenous peoples lost the protection they had been given under the Spanish colonial government. Cruelty increased, and in some ways, circumstances were worse for them than during the Spanish colonial government.