Premium Essay

General History of Mexico

In:

Submitted By andrea561989
Words 5491
Pages 22
General History of Mexico

Mexico foundation starts in the year 900 B.C. with the migration of the Mexica from Aztlan tribe, towards the center of Mexico. When the Mexica tribe arrived, where now stands Mexico City, they found an eagle holding a serpent between its claws on a cactus. The Mexica thought this was a message from their god Huitzilopochtli (sun god) telling them that there was their sacred land.

Pre-Hispanic Cultures

Before the Mexica arrived to the center of Mexico and Central America, many pre-Hispanic cultures were developed, sharing their traditions and culture.
When we talk about Mesoamerica, it refers to cultures that existed before the European conquest in the territories that are now Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In Mesoamerica grew and faded many cultures, some of the most important were the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya and Aztec.

These cultures had their own art, architecture and religion, most of these cultures were conquered by other cultures and therefore there was a mixture developing and forming a new and enriched culture. These cultures lived on the Pre-classic, Classic and Post classic which is division in periods of the pre-Hispanic period, some of these cultures lived for over a period, others just lived through one.

The Conquest of Mexico and the Creation of New Spain

In 1492 Christopher Columbus arrived in Cuba and thought that they were in the Indies (today India). Almost thirty years later, Hernán Cortés invaded and conquered the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan and for the next 300 years, Mexico was under the control of the Spanish monarchy, were the Indians and Spanish lived together and mixed, imposing their religion and making the Indians to built magnificent churches, buildings and pyramids. For this reason the Indians secretly built symbols representing their ancient gods in

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Viva Villa

...same time he asked her to married him. After those scenes we see how the movie introduced an American reporter Johnny Sykes, he becomes a good friend of Pancho Villa, later we can see how Villa meets for the first time Francisco Madero where Madero convert Villa from a bandit to a general of the...

Words: 1162 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Chicano History: The Battle Of The Alamo

...The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 is an important battle in Chicano history from the Texas Revolution. The battle was a conflict between both Mexico and the colonists in Texas that altered the future of Mexico, Texas, and the United States of America. The chain of events and tensions between the two forces led to the Battle of the Alamo and created a different environment for both the US and Mexico. Events That Led to the Battle of the Alamo Before the Battle of the Alamo began, there are events and rising tensions that fueled the commencement of the battle. The conflict between both Mexico and the Texas colonists begins with the colonization of Texas, which led to the Texas Revolution and Texas’s independence. Colonization in Texas began...

Words: 1810 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Pancho Villa

...HST 202 Apri Pancho Villa’s Raids into the United States There is a day in U.S. History that is sometimes forgotten. On this day, five hundred Mexican guerillas crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and induced anarchy upon a small New Mexico town. The day is March 9, 1916. On this day, former friend to the United States, Pancho Villa raided the United States and killed seventeen Americans. Doroteo Arango, also known as, Pancho Villa was born on June, 5 1878, in Rio Grande, Mexico. Villa was made the man of the house at a young as after the death of his father. His life of rebellion and crime started at a young age as he was arrested and imprisoned for killing a man who was harassing his younger sister (Bio.com). Soon after his conviction he escaped prison and began his life as an outlaw. As years went on and Mexico’s government was torn by corruption, Villa teamed up with Francisco Madreo and started a Mexican revolutionary throughout the northern part of Mexico (Bio.com). As one of Madreo’s most skilled and talented fighter he was appointed Colonel (Bio.com). In 1911, Villa leads his troops to victory in the Battle of Cuidad Juarez and Madreo becomes Mexico’s new president (Emerson Kent.com). In the following year Villa disobeys direct orders from Madreo and gets sentenced to life in prison (Bio.com). Once again Villa escaped out of prison, only this time he flees to El Paso, Texas (Emerson Kent.com). This is when Pancho Villa became a friend to the United States...

Words: 1533 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Mexican War Research Paper

...War The Mexican war between the USA and Mexico began with an attack by the Mexicans against the Americans troops along the Texas border line on April 25, 1846. The fight ended when the USA General Winfield Scott occupied Mexico-City on September 14, 1847. A few months later a peace treaty was signed on February 2, 1848 of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In addition to recognizing the annexation of Texas in the United States with the defeat, California is also allocated by Mexico and New Mexico. Similar to all the events that are important in history, the interpretations referred to the Mexican war may vary. The Mexicans with a government rule by dictatorial centralism, attack the USA due to the annexation of (1845) Texas,...

Words: 1100 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Mexican Revolution

...Mexican Revolution The Spanish came to México in around the sixteenth century to change México to the Spanish rule (Wikipedia). México’s colonies were free from Spanish rule in the year if 1821 when Spaniards left (Wikipedia). Spain had arrived in pre-Columbian country in about the 18th century and since there was a dense population there they forced labor on them to make more of an easy job for them (Wikipedia). Once they captured the pre-Columbian country the Spaniards decided to take México again and this time for a period of 300 years and they called this “New Spain” (Wikipedia). In one of the most violent event in México has to be the Mexican revolution that lasted from 1910 to 1920 (Schroeder). When the revolution began México homed about 15 million people, in that 10 year period almost 1 to 2 million Mexicans died during this revolution (Schroeder). On October 1, 1911 Madero was elected president (Schroeder). After two years of office Madero was assassinated by General Victoriano Huerta in 1913 (Fredriksen). The constitution let Carranza’s run for a four year term as president in the year 1917. Obregon Alvar was a revolutionary leader and president of Mexico (Fredriksen). He was born in the year 1880 and died in the year of 1928 (Fredriksen). Some victors of the battles bean to argue among themselves, which led to Obregon being assigned to stop “Pancho” Villa (Fredriksen). Once Obregon’s presidency was over he prevailed against Calles to change the constitution which...

Words: 860 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

History of Cinco de Mayo

...The History of Cinco de Mayo | | [pic][pic][pic][pic] Come Visit Michoacán...the Soul of Mexico [pic] [pic] Story of Benito Juárez  -  Short History of Porfirio Díaz Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico & The French Intervention |[pic][pic][pic] | | | |Introduction | |The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of| |Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state | |of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican | |population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16. | | | | | |Setting The Stage ...

Words: 884 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Mexican Cession

...something Mexican Cession means that Mexico gave up large amounts of land such as California and New Mexico to the United States. History behind Mexican Cession In December 1845 the United States voted to make Texas the 28th State. Mexico thought that we had the boundaries wrong and that part of Texas still belong to Mexico. The United States thought the line was the Rio Grand River, but Mexico thought it was another river far inside of the Texas border. The United States President James K. Polk wanted to meet with Mexico and settle the argument about where the Texas line was and talk about buying more land from Mexico. Mexico refused to meet. Mexico had a new president Santa Anna who did not want to talk. What Happened Next… When Mexico refused to meet with the United States President Palk order our military to the border. On April 25, 1846 the Mexican Calvary crossed the Rio Grande river into Texas and began fighting with our military and that was the beginning of the Mexican American war. That event was very important in history because it would determine how much land Mexico would eventually have to give up. (Reference -Social Studies for Kids, website cited below) 1. Mexico gave up over 500,000 square miles of territory to the United States http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/mexicancessiondef.htm How did the War End… The United States won the war by driving the Mexican army out of California, New Mexico and other parts of the country...

Words: 698 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

History

...war, the Mexican War laid the groundwork for the Civil War and made it inevitable. Although the Mexicans had recognized Texas independence in 1845, they rejected the Lone Star Republic’s claim to the unsettled territory between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. When the U.S. annexed Texas and assumed its claim to the disputed area, Mexico broke off diplomatic relations and prepared for armed conflict. Just before leaving office in early 1845 President John Tyler, a Virginian seeking to provide a new area into which slavery might expand, secured a joint resolution from Congress annexing Texas to the United States. Upon taking office, President Polk immediately turned to the acquisition of Mexico's northern territories. President Polk sent U.S. troops under the command of General Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande River in January of 1846. Mexican officials believed that the Texas-Mexico frontier stood one hundred miles to the north, at the Nueces River, and interpreted Polk's move as a deliberate provocation. Mexican troops quickly arrived at the Rio Grande as well, and minor battles broke out between the two forces. Polk argued that "Mexico has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil." Congress quickly provided him with a declaration of war. And thus the Mexican War began. Although the Mexican War would be overshadowed by the Civil War two decades later, it had profound consequences as the size of the United States increased and was also...

Words: 1497 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Mexican Americaan War

...movements in history. The Mexican- American provided the United States of America not only with 500,000 plus square miles of land. But impact of our country playing a very important role of shaping it to the most successful economic country today. The Mexican- American War was interesting to me because of all the moving pieces. In Mexico you had the Federalist going against the Consecutives. The whole time this was going on you had the Abolitionist opposing the war, thinking that America wanted Mexico just to add more slave states. At this time the term “MANIFEST DESTINY” was coined . In August 1843 Santa Anna threaten war with America if they were to incorporate Texas into the Union. Herrera (new president of Mexico) didn’t take this stance. With the encouragement from Great Britain President Herrera decided to resolve the issue of Texas with diplomacy rather than war. President Herrera then told America to send an ambassador to negotiate the Settlement of the Texas boundary. America sent Ambassador Slidell to negotiate for Texas, but his intensions involved more than just the State of Texas. When Ambassador Slidell went into Mexico he had every intention to buy California and New Mexico from Mexico. United States made an offer of 25 million dollars for The Rio Grande border in Texas and another 25 to 30 million for Mexico’s provinces of Alta California (California) and Santa Fe De Nuevo Mexico (New...

Words: 2102 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Henry A Wise: The Mexican-American Civil War

...of Representatives. During the American Civil War, Henry also served as a general in the Confederate Army. Henry A Wise died on September 12, 1876 from natural causes, he was 69 years old. He was buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Henry A Wise was married three times throughout the span of his lifetime. In 1828 he married Anne Jennings, while married he and Anne conceived 5 children together. Unfortunately in 1837 she died in a fire along with one of her children. Although his wife and child were dead that didn't stop him from marrying a second time. In November 1840, he married Sarah Sergeant. Henry Wise managed to have fourteen children in the span of 19 years, but only seven survived to see adulthood. Henry and Sarah also had 5 children together....

Words: 1083 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

...caused the conflict between both countries. In the treaty, the United States government was obligated to pay Mexico fifteen-million dollars. In return for the compensation, The United States expanded its territory. The territory that was obtained via the treaty eventually became New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, and some of Utah.[1] This treaty, especially in the long run, benefited both the United States and Mexico, but there are many arguments about why the war started. Some argue that the United States was power hungry and was continuing its “bulling” of the continent to fulfill their belief that it was God’s will for the United States to control the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This has now become to be known as Manifest Destiny.[2] Then there are the counter arguments that the dictatorship of Mexico sent troops to invade the United States and killed Americans. In a message to congress on May 11, 1846, President James Polk said, “Mexico invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil.”[3] There are many arguments that say the United States is a racist nation and that this war, like many others, was because of white racism. Whether the battles were all racially motivated will never be known. It is impossible to know what was in the hearts of the Americans who fought in the war. What is know is that during that time Mexico was under an oppressive dictatorship and whether the motives of the United States were malicious or not...

Words: 3628 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Remember The Alamo In Texas

...He fought to defend loyalist New Spain and then he fought for Mexico. He also really impacted early Mexican politics. Santa Anna also dominated Mexican history in the first part of the nineteenth century. Santa Anna also had very smart strategies. He started harassing the people inside the Alamo. Everynight he made noise by hiring a band to blare their horns and trumpets. The Texans of course felt it hard to sleep through the night. He also wanted to wear the Texans down. If Anna’s own troops lost sleep, he did not care. As days went by, Mexican troops were also wore down. Santa Anna planned to defeat the Texans quickly but it was not that easy. He needed to reclaim the Alamo as a matter of honor. In addition, Santa Anna sent a messenger to Mexico City. He reported the successful capture of San Antonio, but he failed to mention that the fact the Texans still occupied the Alamo. This is important because he was a Mexican president and general. Santa Anna was not a good individual but he was still a smart and important...

Words: 936 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Mexican Drugs

...Mexico: Drugs or Democracy Introduction Illicit drug trade between Mexico and the United States, estimated between $17 billion and $38 billion a year in 2009 by the Drug Intelligence Center, has a long and storied past. Cartels operated with relative impunity from government prosecution during the seventy year reign of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, (PRI). The movement from an authoritarian government system of the PRI to the liberal democracy initiated by the election victory of the National Action Party, (PAN), candidate, Vicente Fox, in 2000, disrupted the status quo. Election gains by PAN Representatives disrupted long standing agreements between the cartels and government officials which led to the increased violence that exists today. This paper will explore the history of the relationship between the cartels and the PRI. The effect of the increased violence from the cartels inhibits the efforts of PAN party officials to establish a lasting democracy. Literature Review Research shows the three distinct stages in the development of a cohesive relationship between drug cartels and government in Mexico and identifies the political and economic conditions that have allowed the drug trade to thrive. Comparing Mexico with Columbia, another narcotics state, provides an additional case study on the subject matter and highlights actions utilized successfully. A review of the current political and military efforts to curtail corruption within the government provides...

Words: 2903 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Neoliberalism & Mexico

...Over the last few decades, research has shown a clear connection between the ideals of neoliberalism and social inequality. According to A Brief History of Neoliberalism, neoliberalism is defined as a theory of political economic practices that proposes that human well-being can best be advanced by liberating individual entrepreneurial freedoms and skills within an institutional framework characterized by strong property rights, free markets, and free trade. Beginning in the 1970s and 1980s as political philosophy rooted in classical liberalism with a focus on free markets and economic growth, the definition of neoliberalism has changed quite a bit over the last few decades. The evolutionary dynamic of neoliberaliztion has been such as to force adaptations that have varied greatly from place to place as well as over time. Any attempt to piece together a picture of what a typical neoliberal state looks like today would prove to be a difficult task. The somewhat chaotic evolution and uneven geographical development of state institutions, powers, and functions over the last thirty years suggests that the neoliberal state may be an unstable contradictory political form. The effects of this economic philosophy are especially obvious in Latin America, where many nations faced debt crises directly related to neoliberalism. The overall result was an awkward mix of low growth and increasing income inequality. In Latin America, where the first wave of forced neoliberalization struck in...

Words: 908 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Canter's Behavior Management Cycle: a Case Study

...Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend It against all enemies." Tyler, W (1918) -- The American's Creed. The Spanish Period, Arizona is the youngest of all the states, and the last of the 48 states to be admitted to the Statehood in 1912. Arizona’s history goes back hundreds of years. In 1535, the Spanish explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, with three companions, found their way to Arizona; where Cabeza de Vaca was perhaps the first European explorer to enter Arizona territory. Arizona history states that, “His report led to further explorations of the region. The Spaniards heard stories about the great wealth of the Seven Cities of Cibola. They grew eager to find this treasure”. In the 1600s Antonio de Espejo and Juan de Onate found minerals that would make Arizona rich and increase Spanish interest in the territory. In 1752 the Spanish established the first white settlement. The Arizona history states that “the 18th century was a period of battles between the Spanish and native Indians. Little progress was made developing Arizona during these year”. The Mexican Period; In 1821 Mexicans revolted against the Spanish this lead to Arizona becoming an Mexican territory. History of Arizona states; “this was the time of the mountain men from the United States, Arizona began to develop ties to the United...

Words: 1282 - Pages: 6