MEXICO
MEXICO2000 BC-1400s
Mesoamerica is populated. Several Indian civilizations (Olmecs, Toltecs, Mayans) prosper and decline.
15th Century
Mexico experiences a series of natural disasters that devastate the Aztec population. The Aztecs expand their remaining empire and eventually dominate most of Mesoamerica.
1519
Hernan Cortes arrives from Spain and leads the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
16th Century
Spanish settlers clash with the Crown over the control of the native population. The Spanish monarchy claims to want to Christianize the natives while they continue to profit from the encomienda system. Education becomes the responsibility of the Church. The Inquisition occurs mid century effecting this education process. By the end of the century, the conquest and colonization of Indian lands is nearly completed. Colonized lands extend from Honduras in the south to Texas and Florida in the north.
17th and 18th Century
Indians and mestizos suffer despite protests and rebellions against the Spanish. Tensions also arise among the Creole population who feel that they are being discriminated against based purely on where they were born.
1810
Miguel Hidalgo leads one of the first uprisings for Mexican Independence.
1824
A Constitution is adopted and Mexico is established as a federal republic. The president and vice president are to be elected by the state legislatures as opposed to popular vote. Catholicism becomes the official religion.
1829-1846
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna defeats Spanish invaders and is elected president in 1833. Santa Anna lets his vice-president Gomez Farias take over the governing responsibilities. The Constitution of 1824 is replaced by the Constitution of 1836 (also known as the Seven Laws). A military dictatorship is instituted.
1846-1848
Santa Anna leads Mexico in the war against the U.S. The War ends with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Rio Grande becomes the boundary between the U.S. and Mexico.
1848-1858
As conservative and liberal ideals clash, Benito Juarez leads the Reform Movement. The Constitution of 1857 is instituted in an attempt to strike a balance in the government. Mexico becomes a democratic, representative nation.
1858-1861
The War of the Reform divides the country. Liberals are led by Juarez and conservatives by Felix Zuloaga. While the liberal forces manage to defeat conservative forces, a strong conservative sentiment remains in much of the country.
1861-1867
The French occupation of Mexico takes place bringing Prince Maximilian Hapsburg to rule. Juarez and his liberal forces attempt to oust the Monarch, with support from the U.S. Maximilian is executed in 1867.
1867-1872
Juarez is elected president and helps to establish better relations between Mexico and the U.S. He is supported in other Latin American countries for his successful defeat of the French invasion and for restoring the republican system. In 1871, strong opposition develops against Juarez by Porfirio Diaz and his supporters. Juarez dies of a heart attack while still in office.
1872-1910
Porfirio Diaz rules Mexico as a dictator. His oppression of the Indians and emerging working class is masked by the strength of the economy and international relations. Strict class lines are being drawn and eventually the call to revolt is heard. Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata are among the rebellion leaders. The Diaz regime comes to an end.
1910-1917
The Mexican Revolution rages in full force. Francisco Madero takes over as Diaz steps down, but his inexperience only adds fuel to the rebellion’s fire. Emiliano Zapata leads the people’s rebellion against Madero, as Victoriano Huerta also seeks to remove Madero from office. Soon a series of alliances and revolts take place between Zapata, Pancho Villa, General Venustiano Carranza, and Alvaro Obregon to overthrow Huerta’s regime. A new Constitution is drafted in 1917. A new sense of nationalism is instilled in the Indians and mestizos.
*Maria Candelaria, Like Water For Chocolate
1919
Carranza’s forces assassinate Zapata.
1920s and 1930s
Obregon rises to power, as the political situation in Mexico remains tense. There is a move towards developing the country’s culture. A new community of artists, musicians and writers forms. Pancho Villa is assassinated in 1924. Plutarco Elias Calles becomes president and continues to retain influence over the government even after his term ends. Obregon is assassinated in 1928. Small factions of communist parties are suppressed and intimidated. But by the mid 30s Marxist and Socialist ideas are being instilled among the people. Lazaro Cardenas’ presidency brings the national sentiment back through agrarian reform.
*Frida, La Negra Angustias
1940s
Mexico becomes involved in World War II. Industrialism and capitalism flourish during Miguel Aleman’s presidency. Relations with the U.S. also strengthen. The Union Nacional Sinarquista make their presence known by staging violent demonstrations and winning the state election, forming the first counterrevolutionary government in thirty years.
1950s
Mexico begins another move towards privatization and industrial expansion, though some social reform is implemented. By the end of the decade modernization of Mexico City and other urban areas takes precedence over social reform. Poverty becomes a major problem. The ruling PRI party starts to lose support.
*Los Olvidados
1960s
Adolpho Lopez Mateos becomes president, enacting many social and agrarian reforms. He also places an emphasis on educating citizens in rural areas. Mexico becomes involved in foreign policies as Castro rules over Cuba. Mexico condemns the Soviet Union’s placement of missiles in Cuba and supports the U.S. Naval blockade. Student demonstrations are also increasing. In 1968 as Mexico City prepares to host the Olympics, a student demonstration turns into the Tlatelolco massacre where several hundred students and bystanders are killed. This event leads to a more critical look at Mexico’s political processes.
*A Place Without Limits, Simon of the Desert
1970s
Luis Escheverria presides as terrorist and guerilla organizations form. A wave of domestic terrorism takes place, threatening the burgeoning tourist industry. Demonstrations and riots continue to claim lives. Escheverria seeks to increase the involvement of young people in the political processes. Mexico also increases their involvement in foreign policies. Support for Castro’s regime grows, as support for Pinochet’s regime in Chile proves non-existent. The economy weakens as foreign debt spirals out of control. Towards the end of the decade, relations with the U.S. become strained as Mexico provides aid and support to the Sandinistas in Nicaragua.
1980s
Refugees from the crisis’s taking place throughout Central America begin to flee to Mexico. Mexico’s involvement in Nicaraguan, El Salvadorian and Cuban policies continue to put strain on their relationship with the U.S. Student demonstrations continue as the ruling PRI party is accused of election fraud. The U.S. urges Mexico to democratize their political process. Jose Lopez Portillo’s presidency proves disastrous to the economy. In 1985, Mexico joins GATT and tries to improve their economic position by increasing competition and decreasing state controlled businesses. By the end of this decade, Portillo’s successors strengthen ties with the U.S. once again.
*El Mariachi
1990s
Mexico enters into NAFTA in an attempt to restructure the economy. This alliance is damaging to the social conditions of the working class as the unemployment rate rises. A series of political reforms are introduced that are supported by the National Action Party (PAN) but opposed by the left wing group the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD).
1994-1995
The Zapatista uprising breaks out in Chiapas. The Mexican military strikes out against the Zapatista Army of Liberation and they retreat into the mountains. Acts of terrorism occur in Mexico City and other urban centers. The Zapatistas and leader Subcommandante Marcos claim opposition to NAFTA and support for Indian rights.
*A Place Called Chiapas
Present
Mexico continues to work on its social, political and economic reforms. The recent outbreak of violence has boosted the prominence of the military. Mexico’s relationship with the U.S. is currently estranged over the issue of drug trafficking and illegal immigration. However, Mexico remains the third largest trading partner of the U.S. and an important source of investment.