Mexico was discovered in 1519. The population at the time has been estimated in 10 million people. It organisation was feudal and were ruled by disciplinary rules.

In contrast to other colonised people, Mexican indigenous people were the backbone of the Spanish Empire. Nowadays Mexico has over 15 million indigenous people, with over 50 different dialects.

Main dates in Mexican history are:

PRE HISPANIC TIMES (1200 A.C.-1521 D.C.) Marked by the influence of five great civilisations:
· The Olmecs (1200 A.C.-200 A.C). Designed an advanced calendar and lay down the corner stones of the religious traditions, architecture and art for the future generations
· The Mayan (1200 A.C.-1400 D.C). Devised a complex maths systems, mastered the astronomy, construction of multiple urban centres and architecture
· The Mixtec-Zapotecs (900 A.C.-1400 A.C.). Excellent artisans and builders of immense cities, temples and tombs. The quality of their pottery was second to none.
· The Toltecs (950 D.C.-1300 D.C.). Where powerful warriors and great artisans. They strongly influenced the Maya and Aztecs.
· The Aztecs (1345 D.C.-1521 D.C.). It was a growing civilisation when conquered by the Spanish in 1519. Designed a complex system of rights. Excellent architects. With a great heritage including language, religion, arts and military. Influenced by the Olmecs, Toltecs and Mayans.

CONQUEST AND SPANISH COLONISATION (1521-1810). After the fall of Tenochtitlan, today’s Mexico City, in 1521, Spain began an era of exploration and conquest. Spain and the Catholic Church imposed their authority and costumes on the daily life and religion. From this time Mexicans inherited their catholic tradition and many cities in central Mexico house splendid building of the time.

INDEPENDENCE AND INSURRECTION (1810-1860). Spanish domination started to weaken due to several factors, amongst them the influence from the French and the American revolutions, the conflict among criolles (sons of Saniards born in Mexico), mixed race (sons of Spanish and indigenous) and the peninsular (Spanish with residency in Mexico). The first group, the criolles, wanted more autonomy from Spain. In 1810 the battle for independence started and lasted for 11 years, costing more than 600,000 lifes. Political chaos was the rule. In 1847, the USA invaded Mexico and with the signing of the Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty, Mexico was forced to give surrender over half of its territory.

REFORM AND ESTABILITY (1860-1910). In 1860, the Reform Laws were published with the aim to control the church’s power. The conservatives, made of aristocrats looking for more catholic and political power, requested the help of the European allies. In 1861 the French troops invaded Mexico and forced the rule of the Emperor Maximiliano of Habsburg. His government was unsuccessful and was shoot dead in 1867.

Benito Juarez, for Oaxaca and with indigenous background, devised the Reform Laws and became president of Mexico for a period of four years. During his mandate agrarian reforms took place and considerably reduced the catholic power.

In 1874, Porfirio Diaz, also from Oaxaca, became president of Mexico. He ruled the country for 34 years and his was a period of growth on mining, agriculture and foreign investment. However, he also increased the divide between poor and rich.

REVOLUTION AND REFORM (1910-1945). As a consequence of such divide, the war of the Revolution started in 1910. Two leaders, Zapata and Madero, fought for change. The former fought for economic change and the latter for political change. What started as a battle instigated by the middle class, soon was taken over by peasants looking for social justice, voting rights and end to foreign domination. In 1917, after seven years of war and millions of victims the Mexico’s Carte Magne was finally signed.

Over the following 20 years, Plutarco Elias Calles and Lazaro Cardenas carried out relevant terms on the presidency. The former ended up with the power held by the church while the latter pursued full economic reform, agrarian reform and nationalised the oil industry.


MODERN TIMES (1945 TO PRESENT). After the Second World War, Mexico witnessed times of progress. The country’s infrastructure developed as well as its industry and agriculture rose. However, it was also an era of drastic changes as the population grew without control, massive exodus from the countryside to urban areas, increased of foreign debt and inflation. Over the last years, Mexico has enter a new phase and its growth is that of a modern nation.