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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.

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Mexico: Political and Economic Change

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  1. Mexico: Political and Economic Change Vera Belaia Period 1

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. The Porfiriato – Results • Stability • Authoritarianism • Foreign investment and economic growth • Cientificos encouraged entrepreneurship • Primarily from the US • Growing gap between rich and poor

  8. 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.

  9. Revolution of 1910 - Results • Patron-client system • Caudillos, Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa • Conflict with the Catholic Church • CristerosRebellion • The establishment of the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party), a giant umbrella party • Introduction of sexenios (six year terms) • Constitution of 1917

  10. The 20th Century – Cardenas • Lazaro Cardenas came to power in 1934 • Ruled until 1940 • Sometimes called the “Roosevelt of Mexico” • Very charismatic

  11. 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

  12. 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 statecorporatism

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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)

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