10.2 History and Culture

Pg. 224

Early Mexico Early people belonged to many

cultures and each had their own language.

Most were hunter-gatherers. Main crops were beans, corn,

peppers, and squash. Grew them together in the same

fields, called milpa.

Continued Indian civilizations included: Maya, Olmec,

Toltec, and Zapotec. Very complex and accomplished.

The last was the Aztec. Aztec built an empire in what is now central and southern Mexico.

Capital City, Tenochtitlan, occupied an island in a lake (near Mexico City)

The Colonial Period 1519 a band of Spanish adventurers

landed on the eastern coast of Mexico.

Called Conquistadors or Conquerors. Formed alliances with tribes who

didn’t like the Aztec. Small pox arrived with the Spanish.

Continued American Indians had no resistance

to it. Killed many, and weakened the Aztec’s.

Spaniards captured the Aztec capital.

Spanish called the area New Spain. Built Mexico City on Tenochtitlan.

Tenochtitlan

Continued Desire for Gold and Silver had been

a major motive for the Spanish. Spanish organized the land into

haciendas – large estates usually owned by wealthy families by worked by peasants (Indians).

Roman Catholic Priests tried to convert AI to Christianity.

Mexican Hacienda

Mexico since Independence Rapid, sometimes violent political

change.

Independence and Revolution 1810 Mexicans began to revolt

against Spanish rule. 1821 won independence. A few powerful families still

controlled the economy and the government.

1848 Mexico lost its northern territory to the U.S.

Continued Most Mexicans remained poor. Led to the Mexican Revolution,

which lasted from 1910 to 1920. President ruled like a dictator and

held most of the power. Many foreign owned companies

were forced out.

Continued Result of the revolution – land

reform. Large haciendas were broken up and given to peasant villages.

New land system was not very successful.

In 1992 the farmers were allowed to sell their land.

Modern Mexico Since 1990 Mexico had again

opened its economy to foreign business.

Increasingly urban. ¾ of Mexicans now live in towns and

cities. In 1992 the U.S., Canada, and

Mexico signed NAFTA.

Continued NAFTA – lowered trade barriers

between the three countries. Manufacturing in Mexico had

expanded. Tourism has become increasingly

important. Acapulco, Cancun and Mazatlan.