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History[]

Colonial period[]

Mexico's history from the 1500s to 1800s is marked by the arrival of the Spanish, the conquest of the Aztec empire, and the establishment of a new regime and social order. In the early 16th century, Spanish conquistadors, under the leadership of Hernan Cortes, arrived in Mexico and began a campaign of conquest against the Aztec empire. After several years of fierce fighting, the Aztecs were conquered and their empire fell, ushering in a new era of Spanish colonial rule.

During the colonial period, Mexico was ruled by a Spanish viceroy and was subject to a hierarchical social order, with the Spanish occupying the top position and mestizos, or people of mixed Spanish and indigenous blood, occupying the middle position, while indigenous peoples were considered the lowest social caste. Despite this social hierarchy, indigenous cultures and traditions continued to play an important role in Mexican society, and many indigenous customs, such as Day of the Dead celebrations, continue to be observed today.

In the late 18th century, Mexico began to undergo a period of political upheaval, which culminated in the Mexican War of Independence, which began in 1810. After several years of fighting, Mexico achieved its independence in 1821, and in 1824, it was declared a federal republic.

World war 1[]

Mexico remained neutral throughout World War I, although it did declare war on the German Empire on April 6th, 1917, following pressure from the United States. This declaration of war was primarily symbolic, as Mexico did not participate directly in the fighting in Europe.

During the war, Mexico was facing its own internal political and economic issues, including a civil war from 1910 to 1920, and it did not have the resources or the inclination to get involved in the conflict. Despite this, Mexico did allow the United States to transport supplies and troops across its territory to support the Allied effort in Europe, and it played a minor role in the conflict by patrolling the Gulf of Mexico for German U-boats.

One interesting footnote from this period of Mexican history is that in 1916, Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa led an expedition into the United States, which culminated in the attack on the town of Columbus, New Mexico, on the night of March 9th, 1916. This led to increased tensions between the United States and Mexico, and it contributed to the decision of the United States to enter the First World War on the side of the Allies.

Post World War 1[]

Mexico experienced a period of social and political upheaval between the end of World War I and the outbreak of World War II. This period was characterized by economic instability, political violence, and the rise of radical political ideologies.

In the 1920s, Mexico experienced a period of economic growth and prosperity. However, this period was interrupted by the Great Depression of the 1930s, which hit Mexico particularly hard. As a result, the Mexican government was forced to implement strict economic measures, including price controls and regulations. These policies were met with resistance from business owners and the upper class, who saw them as an infringement on their rights.

One of the most significant events of this period was the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920, which led to the overthrow of the authoritarian regime of Porfirio Diaz and the establishment of a new government. However, this period was marked by political instability and violence, with several factions vying for power. One of these factions, the Mexican Communist Party, gained popularity in the 1930s and led a series of strikes and protests.

In addition to the economic and political struggles of the 1920s and 1930s, Mexico also faced a number of social and cultural challenges. One of the most significant of these was the issue of identity, as Mexico struggled to define what it meant to be Mexican. This led to the emergence of the indigenismo movement, which emphasized the historical contributions of indigenous Mexicans and advocated for their rights and recognition.

Despite these challenges, Mexico did achieve a number of significant milestones during this period, including the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as the National University and the National Museum of Anthropology. In addition, Mexican artists and writers, such as Diego Rivera and Juan Rulfo, achieved international acclaim during this period, and their works continue to be celebrated today.

World War 2[]

Mexico played a relatively minor role in World War II, although it did declare war on the German Empire, the Kingdom of Italy, and the Empire of Japan shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. During the war, Mexico was responsible for patrolling its coastlines and escorting ships in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as providing transit rights to the United States for military personnel and supplies. Additionally, Mexican merchant ships were used to transport fuel, food, and other supplies to Allied forces in the Pacific theater.

Cold war era[]

After the war, Mexico faced a number of economic and social challenges, including the loss of many of its trading partners in Europe and the rise of social inequality, as the gap between the rich and poor increased. This led to the election of a left-wing government in 1940, which implemented social and economic reform policies, such as the nationalization of the oil industry, the distribution of land to peasants, and the expansion of social programs for the poor.

During the Cold War, Mexico became an influential member of the non-aligned movement, which aimed to maintain a neutral position in the struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union. This led to the development of a foreign policy based on the principles of self-determination, sovereignty, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries.

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