The Maya and the Aztecs Mayas –Society formed around 100B.C. –Settled the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America –Recorded history with hieroglyphics –Declined around A.D. 900

Maya and the Aztecs Aztecs –Settled Mexico City around A.D.1325 –Tenochtitlan was built on islands –Constructed chinampas or floating gardens for growing food –Warriors conquered neighbors, caused them to be hated –Practiced slavery –Declined in1500’s

What did they have in common? Create complex calendars Formed highly developed civilizations Large cities and strong religious beliefs

The Conquistadors Hernan Cortes and 500 Spanish explorers arrive in Mexico in 1518 to search for land and Aztec wealth Cortes saw that the Aztecs were hated by other native groups Aztec ruler Montezuma welcomes Cortes, believes he is a god

Conquistadors Motivated by Aztec wealth, the conquistadors waged war, killing Montezuma and defeating the Aztecs The Spaniards were victorious across central America building a vast empire Mexico and parts of United States were under Spanish rule for 100’s of years

Mexican Independence Class Structure –Peninsulares- born in Spain, held highest church and government offices –Criollos- people of Spanish background born in Mexico –Mestizos- people of mixed Spanish and native heritage –Native Americans and slaves

Revolutionaries Miguel Hidalgo –Catholic priest –Led an army of 100,000 men –Spanish resisted, defeated and executed Hidalgo in 1811

Jose Morelos Declared independence from Spain Wanted social equality Drafted a constitution Spain refused to accept, Spanish troops defeat him in 1821, he is executed

Augustin de Iturbide Three guarantees –Mexico would be independent from Spain –Peninsulares and Criollos would be equals –Religion would be Roman Catholic –His army defeats Spain, made himself emperor

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Rebelled against Iturbide Forces him into exile Makes Mexico a republic

Mexican American War Mexico passes a law blocking American settlement in Mexico Texans rebel at the Alamo and the battle of San Jacinto Texas joins the United States U.S. declares war on Mexico Mexico signs Treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo

Mexican American War The Gadsden Purchase adds land to U.S. border Benito Juarez becomes president of Mexico, promotes equality

Mexican Revolution Juarez dies and so does equality Porfirio Dias becomes dictator and favors the rich Common people want land reform- break up large estates and give them to the poor Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa lead the rebels and Mexican Civil War lasts from