Section 1: Natural Environments

Section 2: History and Culture

Section 3: Mexico Today

CHAPTER 10

Mexico

SECTION 2

History and Culture

Question:What changes occurred in Mexico during the colonial period?

SECTION 2

History and Culture

Disease Many indigenous people were killed by European diseases.

Small communal ejidos were replaced by large haciendas.

Aztec Empire was replaced by a Spanish colonial government.

Mestizos became the largest segment of the population.

Most people were converted to Roman Catholicism.

Farming

Government

Population

Religion

SECTION 3

Mexico Today

Question:What are some challenges for the future of Mexico?

SECTION 3

Mexico Today

Resolving Economic Inequality

Challenges for the FutureChallenges for the Future

• poverty• wealth in the hands of a few rich people• few opportunities for Mexican Indians• loss of skilled laborers through migration

ReducingCrime

• result of widespread poverty• main route for drug smuggling into the United States• government corruption

Improving Infrastructure

• lack of clean water and modern sewers• many roads and railways out of date• difficult to move goods to market

1. Why does northwestern Mexico have dry weather?

2. What peoples ruled Mexico before the arrival of Spaniards?

3. Why is Roman Catholicism the most common religion in Mexico?

4. In what ways is Greater Mexico City important to the entire country?

5. How have Mexican politics changed in recent years?

1. Why does northwestern Mexico have dry weather?

2. What peoples ruled Mexico before the arrival of Spaniards?

3. Why is Roman Catholicism the most common religion in Mexico?

4. In what ways is Greater Mexico City important to the entire country?

5. How have Mexican politics changed in recent years?

CHAPTER 10

Chapter Wrap-Up