Mexican History

A really brief summary

There are 3 major time periods in Mexico’s History

• Pre Colonial• Colonial• Post Colonial

• These time periods can be remembered using the Plaza de Tres Culturas (Plaza of three cultures) located in Mexico City

Pre Colonial

• There were hundreds of native groups existing in Mexico prior to the Colonial period. 3 major pre-colonial time periods

• Pre-Classic 2000 b.c. to 300 b.c.

• Classic 300 b.c. to 900 a.d.

• Post-Classic Period 900 a.d. 1520 a.d.

Pre-Classic 2000 b.c. to 300 b.c.

OLMECS

• The Olmecs are known as the “Mother” Civilization of Mexico. Their Origin is unknown. Some scholars trace the Olmecs either to Africa or to China.

Classic Period 300 b.c. to 900 a.d.

MAYAS• The Mayas flourished from 600 to 900

A.D. • They were known for their advanced

culture which included:• Written Language, astronomy,

mathematics, a calendar, and other scientific advancements

• By 900 AD Mayan society had faded due to invasion and disease.

Teotihuacán

• 100 a.d. to 900 a.d. • 30 miles N.E. of

Mexico City• Large cultural center• Built the huge

Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon

Zapotecs

• 600 b.c. to 800 a.d.

• Monte Alban in Southern Mexico

• Flourished during the Classic Period

Post-Classic Period 900 a.d. to 1520 a.d.

Mixtecs

• 600 a.d. to 1500 a.d.

• Important influence in South Central Mexico

Toltecs

• 900 a.d. to 1187 a.d. Powerful group at Tula.

Aztecs

• The Aztecs were a warlike people who came to power from approximately 1300-1519 AD in Mexico. They conquered tribes and demanded tribute from them. Their major accomplishment was the establishment of Tenochtitlan(Mexico City)

COLONIAL PERIOD• The Colonial Period began with the

arrival of Hernando Cortez in 1519. With a small force of less than 500 men, he conquered the Aztec Empire.

• He was helped by:• Disease• Aztec Enemies/siege

warfare/weapons• The Legend of Quetzacoatl

Colonial Period

• The Spanish had three major influences in Mexico

• Religion

• Architecture

• Language

Social Hierachy• Peninsulares—European

born inhabitants• Creoles-European blood—

born in the New World• Mestizos—Mixed

European/Native Blood• Indians

Post Colonial•  

•   Independence from Spain• • Why? Mestizos/Indians had few rights, Creoles had disagreements with Spanish born-There was little change in power over time.

•  •  • 2. Something for nothing does not work.

Father Miguel Hidalgo

• On Sept 16, 1810 called on the Mexicans to revolt against Spain.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

   

                           

Father Jose Morelos

• Took Hidalgo’s place in leading the revolt.

• Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

                                                                 

Mexico’s Instability• Spain took with them

finances/education. The challenge was to establish trade links/loans from other countries.

• U.S. Mexican War 1846-48—Dispute over Texas, the United States gains much of the Southwest part of the United States.

French Intervention 1862-67• Napoleon III’s

forces invade Mexico and put Napoleon III’s nephew Maximilian in as ruler.

Benito Juarez• Following the

removal of the French, Benito Juarez is elected president. Juarez was a full-blooded Indian.

Porfiriato Period 1876-1910• Porfirio Diaz becomes

President of Mexico in 1876 an reigns as a virtual dictator until 1910. He provided economic stability, industrialization, and improved infrastructure.

The Mexican Revolution• 1910-1920 Revolt

against Diaz

• Lower classes wanted land/civil rights

• Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa led peasants in revolt.

• In 1936 Lazaro Cardenas became president and strengthened land reform.

• Ejidos—Land given to peasants by the government for farming/living purposes.

Other Key Events of the 20th Century• 1968 Massacre near the Plaza of

three cultures.

• Late 1970’s oil boom in Mexico

• 1985 Earthquake—Showed PRI Party to be inadequate

• 1988 Presidential Election—Massive accusations of Fraud

Other Key Events of the 20th Century• 1994 Chiapas Uprising—Anti

NAFTA revolt. Desire for more land reform among the poor.

• 2000 Presidential Election—Vicente Fox of the PAN party ends over 70 years of PRI rule.

• Today the United States’ relationship with Mexico is somewhat complex.

• Immigration has and will continue to play a key role in the economic and political relationship between the two countries.