Mountains dominate Mexico’s physical setting. Sierra Madre- largest mountain range, Sierra Occidental extends along the western coast. Sierra Madre Oriental- runs parallel to the eastern coast, along the Gulf of Mexico. Between the two is Mexico’s largest region, central plateau.
Between the mountains and ocean are Mexico’s different coastal plains regions. Peninsula- strip of land that juts out into the Pacific Ocean.
Baja California Gulf of Baja California Sierra Madre Oriental Sierra Madre Occidental Sierra Madre del Sur Central Plateau Bay of Campeche Yucatan Peninsula Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Honduras Mexico City Cozumel Acapulco Cabo San Lucas Nuevo Laredo Monterre
Plaza de las Tres Culturas- Three Cultures (located on the site of an Aztec center that fell to the Spanish) In the center are the resorted ruins of an Aztec temple pyramid. One side of the square is a church, build by the Spanish, on the another side, twin office buildings of glass and (represents modern Mexico)
Empire to Colony 1400s their capital city of Tenochtitlan was the center of an empire that spread over much of south-central Mexico Build on an island in a lake
Spanish Conquest Cortes made their way inland in 1519 Within two years the Conquistadors destroyed the Aztec empire. Later they conquered the remaining Indian groups in Mexico. Colony or new Spain
New Spain Four social classes Peninsulares- born in Spain, high official positions Criollos- (cree OHL yos) people of Spanish ancestry born in the Americas. Mestizos- people of mixed ancestry, ranked third Indians- lowest (provided labor on haciendas)
New Spain Haciendas- large, Spanish –owned estates of land, usually run as farms or cattle ranches. Encomienda- landowners were supposed to care for their workers, welfare. Given to the conquistadors as rewards by the Spanish King.
Road to Democracy Colonial rule lasted into the 1800s Resentment the Criollos felt for the privileged peninsulares erupted into a rebellion. Miguel Hidalgo called for a rebellion against Spanish rule. Cry sparked a war of independence. 1821 Independence was won and Mexico was established. Was not democratic, country went through a series of political struggles and a civil war. Military leaders ruled as dictators. People wanted democracy.
Road to Democracy Economy began to blossom. Railroads were built, ranches expanded and oil reserves were developed. Modernize the country only helped the wealthy. Gap between the wealthy and poor continued.
The Mexican Revolution 1910 the middle –class and peasants rebelled. Stood up to the Military dictator and landlords who together controlled the country. Fighting ended in 1920 Mexico had a new president and a new constitution. New government promised “land, bread and justice for all.” PRI Institutional Revolutionary Party is controls the congress and Presidency.
Mexico Today Land redistribution- government program of dividing large estates among landless peasants. Land was split and given to peasants, still used today Government awarded most of the reclaimed land in the form of ejidos – farmland owned collectively by members of a rural community. Many of these farmers practice subsistence farming Subsistence farming- grow only enough corps to feed their families and meet their needs.
Mexico Today One third of Mexican farms are huge commercial farms owned by individuals or farming companies. Latifundios- huge commercial farms Cash crops- farm crops grown for sale and profit, such as corn, sugar cane, coffee, or fruit. Migrant workers- peasants who travel to where extra farm workers are needed.
Mexico's Economy Major industries, petroleum extraction and tourism Tourism in many of the coastal cities began to boom in the 50’s Mexico City heavily polluted because of the manufacturing companies. The pollution is trapped because of the Mountains. Maquiladoras- factories assemble products for the consumers in the United States. ( accused of pollution and not healthy environment and working conditions) Found along the border of the US and Mexico.