Mexico Mexico People Indigenous Maya Yucatan Peninsula Aztec

Mexico

Mexico • People – Indigenous • Maya – Yucatan Peninsula • Aztec- Mexican Plateau – Mestizoindigenous/European • Urbanization – Megacities- growing cities absorbing other cities – Primate City- Mexico City

• Maya Mexico – Southern Mexico and Northern Central America – A. D. 250 to 900 – Agriculture, Trade – Astronomical observations, glyphs, skilled mathematics – Abandoned Cities?

Mexico • Aztecs – Central Mexico – A. D. 1300’s – Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) – Chinampas (Floating islands) – Class System: emperor, military officials, priests, farmers, laborers, soldiers

Mexico • Spanish Conquest – Hernando Cortez- 1519 CE • Conquistador (conqueror) • Thirst for silver and gold • Conquered Aztecs in 1521 – Spanish Influence- Viceroys, Catholicism, Mestizo, Art • Next 300 years • Syncretism= blending of beliefs & practices

Mexico After Spain • Miguel Hidalgo- 1810 move for Independence • Independence from Spain 1821 – Rise of Caudillos – Juarez- reform – Diaz- corrupt rule • Civil War- Madero, Zapata, Villa • Institutional Revolutionary Party – 71 years of rule – 1929 -2000

Mexico • Economy – Urbanization – Maquiladoras – NAFTA – Emigration

Mexico • Language and Religion- Spanish and Catholicism…… Blended • Education and Health Care- malnutrition • Interest in precolonial history, arts, dances, etc • Importance of family • Bull fighting, futbol (soccer), festivals