Chichén-Itzá, Kukulcán Pyramid

Mexico’s known history began over 10,000 years ago, when indigenous people populated the country. The most striking aspect of the pre-Columbian history of Mexico is the development of Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Mayas, Toltecs and Aztecs. These civilizations were centers of growth for nearly 3,000 years.

During the 1500s, Mexico was invaded by Spain. After conquering the Aztec capital, they set up the viceroyalty of New Spain, which would last 300 years.

The year 1810 saw Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla announcing Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule. This led to the war of independence, which resulted in the official recognition of Mexico’s freedom in 1821.

The First Mexican Empire was then established, with Agustin de Iturbide declaring himself as temporary emperor. In 1823, a revolution was staged against Iturbide, and the United Mexican States was established.

The first president of Mexico was Guadalupe Victoria. For 40 years, there was constant conflict between federalists and centralists. Dictator General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna eventually established the centralized form of government.

In 1846, border disputes between Mexico and the United States over Texas led to the Mexican-American War. Mexico was eventually defeated by the United States, and Mexico was forced to sell them their northern areas.

Dissatisfaction with Santa Anna, who again became dictator, eventually led to his deposition in the Revolution of Ayutla, with the new president becoming Ignacio Comonfort. Under Comonfort, the Constitution of 1857 was created, with a federalist form of government.

Mexico was again invaded in the 1860s by France, forming the Second Mexican Empire, which was led by Emperor Maximilian I. In 1867, Maximilian was captured and former president Benito Juarez restored the Mexican republic. Juarez remained president until he died.

Juarez was succeeded by Miguel Lerdo de Tejada, who won in the 1876 elections over Porfirio Diaz. Diaz rebelled and overthrew Lerdo. He remained president for 5 consecutive terms, known as Porfiriato. Diaz committed fraud during the 1910 elections, winning over favorite Francisco Madero. Madero led a revolt, known as the Mexican Revolution. Diaz resigned and Madero became president.

In 1913, Madero was murdered by Victoriano Huerta. This led to civil war, where Huerta was overthrown. Venustiano Carranza became the new president and created the Constitution of 1917. Carranza was killed, and was succeeded by Alvaro Obregon and Plutarco Elias Calles. Calles established the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The PRI became the dominant party in Mexico until recently.

For the next 40 years, Mexico’s economy grew. The period, known as El Milagro Mexicano, saw the oil industry getting nationalized. Eventually, mismanagement resulted in inflation of oil prices in 1982. During the presidency of Carlos Salinas, a rebellion and various political assassinations resulted in a decrease in the number of investors, and eventually, the Mexican economy collapsed. Reforms under President Ernesto Zedillo led to the recovery of the economy.

In the year 2000, Vicente Fox became the first non-PRI candidate to win the presidential elections. At present, the current president is Felipe Calderon.

Maya Mexico

The Mesoamerican Maya civilization began around 1800 BC in Soconusco.

Read more: Maya Mexico

Atzec Mexico

The Aztecs developed an advanced civilization in Central Mexico, spanning the 14th to the 16th centuries. Also known as the Mexicas, the Aztecs brought numerous contributions to future societies.

Read more: Aztec Mexico

Pyramids of Mexico

Mesoamerican pyramids are buildings shaped like pyramids, built during the time of the ancient Mexican civilizations. Unlike Egyptian pyramids, Mesoamerican pyramids are typically step pyramids with a temple at the peak.