Download - Mexico: Political and Economic Change
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)