Mexico: Political and Economic Change

Vera Belaia

Period 1

Colonialism

Spanish control of Mexico began after Hernan Cortes captured the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.

Spain’s rule lasted from 1519 to 1821. By 1810, there were an estimated 6 million

inhabitants in New Spain.

Colonialism – Results

Cultural heterogeneity Today ~60% of Mexicans are mestizo (blend of two

peoples) Catholicism

Most Spaniards remained in or near Mexico City Catholic priests traveled and converted people to

Christianity. Economic dependency

Spain used to serve as the mother country Never realized the extent of Mexico’s natural resources

Independence

In 1810 Miguel Hidalgo (1753 – 1811) led a popular rebellion against Spanish rule

Independence finally recognized by Spanish crown in 1821

Father Hidalgo still symbolizes the political rights of the peasantry.

Stability did not follow independence 36 presidents 1833 and 1855

Independence – Results

Instability and legitimacy issues Rise of the militia Domination by the United States

By 1855, Mexico lost half its territory to the US Liberal vs. conservative struggle

Constitution of 1857 – set up on democratic principles

Benito Juarez – liberal president popular with both citizens and elite

The Porfiriato

Porfirio Díaz Staged a military coop in 1876 Promised to serve only one term Ended up ruling Mexico for 34 years.

Brought cientificos – group of advisors that believed in scientific and economic progress for Mexico

The Porfiriato – Results

Stability Authoritarianism Foreign investment and economic growth

Cientificos encouraged entrepreneurship Primarily from the US

Growing gap between rich and poor

Revolution of 1910

Elites became sensitive to the greed of the Porfirians

Support for Francisco Madero – a landowner from Coahulia – led to Díaz’s abdication in 1911.

The success of the elite coup set off a period of warlordism and popular uprisings that lasted until 1934.

Revolution of 1910 - Results

Patron-client system Caudillos, Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa

Conflict with the Catholic Church Cristeros Rebellion

The establishment of the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party), a giant umbrella party Introduction of sexenios (six year terms)

Constitution of 1917

The 20th Century – Cardenas

Lazaro Cardenas came to power in 1934 Ruled until 1940 Sometimes called the

“Roosevelt of Mexico” Very charismatic

Cardenas - Results

Redistribution of land through ejidos (collective land grants)

Nationalization of industry Creation of PEMEX

Investments in public works Encouragement of peasant and union

organizations

Cardenas – Results (cont’d)

Concentration of power in the presidency Followed a strategy of state-led development

called import substitution industrialization High tariffs Protection of locally produced goods Government ownership of key industries

Cardenas government is an example of state corporatism

Tecnicos and the Pendulum Theory Miguel Aleman became president 6 years

after Cardenas Aleman rejected many of Cardenas’ reforms Pendulum Theory – the swing from socialist

reform to free-market economics and back In the 1970s, tecnicos took control of

government and the PRI Tecnicos are educated, business-oriented

leaders. By 1980s, Mexico settled into neoliberalism

1994 – Political Changes

NAFTA – January 1st Boosted trade between US, Canada, and Mexico

EZLN (Zapatista Army of National

Liberation, aka Zapatistas) Revolutionary leftist group based in Chiapas

Colosio Assassination (March 23, 1994) Zedillo Elected

1994 – Economic Changes

Low Oil Prices The Peso Crisis

On 20/12/1994, the Mexican government devalued the peso

The resulting financial crisis cut the peso’s value in half, set inflation soaring, and set off a severe recession.

NAFTA Reduction of tariffs

Change since 1994

Rise of drug Cartels Vicente Fox (PAN) elected in 2000

Broke 70-year streak of PRI presidents Large gap between rich and poor Current president: Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI)

Elected in 2012 Succeeded Felipe Calderón (PAN)