Mexico

Spanish Conquest Conquistadors – conquerors Hernán Cortés Arrived in 1519 – approx 600 soldiers Aztecs Montezuma – 250,000 + just in the capital Advanced cities / warring nation

How were the Spanish able to conquer that many Aztecs in such a short period of time with so few Spaniards?

Quetzalcoatl light skin, red hair, and light eyes Would come to earth during the end times Would come by way of the sea

Spanish superiority Weapons made of iron Metal armor Cannons Ships Horses Disease Captives from the Caribbean and neighboring tribes

Tenochtitlan

Spanish Conquest Complete Conquered Aztecs in 1521 Destroys Tenochtitlan Current site of Mexico City Encomienda System was created Haciendas – Farms owned by conquistadors and worked by Indians.

Early Social Organization Peninsulares From Spain and moved to the Americas Criollos Spanish ancestry born in Americas Mestizos Mixed blood Indians

Social Classes Most people are Mestizos. They are poor and cannot own land. Very few are Peninsulares Very wealthy and have all power and land. Are these groups equal? What do you think is going to happen?

Road to Democracy Rebellion led by a Criollo priest Miguel Hidalgo leads to Mexican independence. Wealthy peninsulares still own all land and hold all power. Mexican Revolution 1910 – 1920 Became a democratic republic

Mexico’s Economy

Major Industries 1. Oil 2. Drug Trade 3. Manufacturing 4. Tourism

1. Oil

Oil industry Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) A State owned company for decades Accounts for 1/3 of government revenue Focused on getting the easy to locate reserves.

Mexico Oil Reform Current President Pena Nieto pushing for reform He wants to open the industry to private investors. Foreign investors would bring the kinds of technology needed to tap the billions of unattainable oil in the country.

“Mexico could make North America the world leader in oil production”

Impacts of privatizing This would lead to competition and cheaper oil!!! Opens the door for U.S investors Could limit cash flow to the Mexican government.

2. Drugs

Drug Trafficking 10 Billion dollar industry Divisions among rival drug cartels leads to violence in areas that overlap. 47,515 had died in drug war violence between Dec. 1, 2006, and Sept. 11 Use of terrorism to maintain control Beheadings, car bombs, kidnappings Government Corruption Those who oppose are threatened or assassinated

Drug Trafficking – Why Mexico? Weak local and State governments Increased international success combating drug smuggling in Colombia and the Caribbean Increased drug consumption in Mexico Ease of buying guns in the U.S and transporting them to Mexico.

3. Manufacturing

NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 1993/1994 This lifted tariffs and trade blocks between the U.S, Canada, and Mexico.

Maquiladoras Assemble products almost exclusively for U.S. Spurred economic growth along U.S. border Employ 1,000,000+ Changed appearance of northern cities

Tourism

Geography of Mexico

Regions of Mexico Heartland Region Gulf Coastal Plain Yucatán Peninsula Northern Pacific Coast Southern Pacific Coast

Northern Pacific Coast Southern Pacific Coast Gulf Coastal Plain Yucatán Peninsula Heartland Region

Northern Pacific Coast Baja California Peninsula Tijuana Illegal Immigration Maquilladoras

Southern Pacific Coast Sierra Madre del Sur Tourism Acapulco Puerto Vallarta

Acapulco

Gulf Coastal Plain Fossil fuels Natural gas Oil On Gulf Coastal Plain Under Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Zone

Yucatán Peninsula Limestone bedrock Porous Creates caverns sinkholes Mayans Their civilization spread here Tourism Cancún

Heartland Region Plateau An area of high, flat land Densely populated area Mexico City

U.S vs. Mexico