Mexico

History and Culture

Early Cultures

• The first people came to Mexico thousands of years ago.

• As early as 5,000 years ago, they began growing beans, squash and peppers. They also grew the first generation of corn. Farming allowed them to build the first permanent settlements in the Americas.

Olmec

• About 1500 BC, the Olmec were living in small villages in Mexico. They lived om the humid southern coast where they built temples and giant statues (heads). They also traded carved stones, jade and obsidian, with other cultures in the area.

Maya

• A few hundred years later, the Maya will build on the achievements of the Olmec. They built large cities throughout Mexico and Central America. They also built temples to their gods.

Maya

• They studied the stars and developed a detailed calendar. They kept written records that are still being studied. Oddly, no one knows why the Maya civilization just collapsed and disappeared after 900

Aztec

• After the decline of the Maya, the Aztec moved to central Mexico. In 1325, they built Tenochtitlan, their capital, on an island in a lake. It would become one of the largest and most impressive cities of the time.

Aztec

• The Aztec’s built an empire, linking different people and territories together. They built the empire through conquest, defeating neighboring tribes in war. They made the conquered pay taxes and provide human sacrifice to the gods.

Aztec

• To grow crops, the Aztecs used raised field farming in the swampy areas to grow food. They were called Chinampas. Farmers would pile soil on rafts and anchor them to trees in the lake.

Colonial Mexico

• In 1519, Hernando Cortez lands with 600 Conquistadors from Spain. They make allies of the other tribes in the area. Guns, weapons unfamiliar to the Aztec, along with the belief that these “white men” might be gods or messengers of the gods spelled doom to the Aztec.

Conquest

• European diseases such as small pox also played a part in the conquest. The Aztec had no immunity to Spanish diseases and many will die. Weakened, the Aztec collapse and Cortez claims the land for Spain in 1521

Colonial Times

• As time went by, the Spanish and Native Americans mixed and were known as mestizos. When Africans were brought over as slaves, they mixed with Europeans and were known as mulattoes.

Colonial Times

• Life in colonial Mexico was greatly influenced by the Catholic Church. Large areas were left for the Church to explore and rule. On these lands the would build missions. Priests would look to convert the natives to Christianity and would learn native languages and teach natives Spanish.

Colonial Times

• The Spanish were looking for gold and silver to send back to Spain. They would use the natives in mines and later, Africans for the physical end of the work. As a result, many will die due to the overwork and disease for the Natives.

Colonial Times

• The Spanish Crown granted settlers many large farms or ranches called haciendas to favored families of Spanish descent. Peasants, usually Natives, worked and lived on the land while the owners became rich.

Independence

• Spain ruled Mexico for almost 300 years before people demanded freedom. The revolt was led by a priest named Miguel Hidalgo, whose famous speech called for the common people to rise up. He was killed in 1811, but Mexico would gain independence 10 years later in 1821.

Later Struggles

• 15 years after independence, Texas will break away. This event led to the Mexican – American War. Mexico would lose half of its territory to the US in this war.

Later Struggles

• Popular president Benito Juarez would face several challenges in the 1800’s. He would repel a French invasion, made reforms to reduce privileges of the Church and army and laid foundation for democratic government,

Later Struggles

• In spite of reform, the government would help hacienda owners take land from peasants. Big companies owned huge amounts of land and had a lot of influence in Mexican politics. Many Mexicans saw this as unfair.

Mexican Revolution

• In 1910, the Mexican Revolution would begin. The fighting lasted 10 years. Land reform was one of the major results. The new government took land from the wealthy landowners and returned it to the peasant villages.

Culture

• History has influenced the culture of Mexico. Most Mexicans speak Spanish and most (90%) are Catholic, ties to Spanish colonialism. Some Mexicans identify strongly with native heritage and speak Indian languages.

Culture

• There are other instances of combined heritage. The Day of the Dead celebration is one that brings a holiday to remember and honor dead ancestors. It is celebrated on November 1 & 2, in conjunction with All Soul’s Day – A Catholic Church holiday.

To Sum Up …

• Exit: How can we tell different heritage is important in Mexican Culture?

• Stay tuned next time for Mexico Today