The king maintained control through a rigid class structure. mark each statement if it accurately describes an aspect of the class structure. a. peninsulares were native-born spaniards who held all the important positions in the colonies. b. milanos were on the lowest rung on the social ladder and were little more than slaves. c. creoles were of spanish descent but born in america and therefore seldom held government positions. d. mestizos were of mixed race, spanish and indian, and were generally poor, if free.