1. MEXICO

2. WAR AND REFORM Mexico gained independence from Spain.
Served as a General for Mexican Independence and then became first president of Mexico.
As a president he was unable to set up a SECURE government
How did reform start?
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

3. WAR AND REFORM
What challenges did Mexico have in establishing a stable government after independence?
While in control, Spain made many decisions for Mexico. Therefore, Mexico had no experience running a government and already had a weak economy.
Invasion from foreign
countries.

4. WAR AND REFORM
THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS WANTED INDEPENDENCE FROM MEXICO. (Texas=Own Country)
Texas was later annexed to the United States
To add to and existing territory
United States went to war with Mexico in 1846 because they could not agree on the southern boundary of Texas.
THE U.S. WON AND GAINED LAND.
Republic of Texas
Annex
THE MEXICAN WAR

6. WAR AND REFORM Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
What states did the United States gain?
Cession
In 1848 Mexico and United States signed the Guadalupe Hidalgo treaty
Mexico’s surrendered territory in the north to the United States.
(Now includes California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.)
Surrendered territory

7. WAR AND REFORM
The Mexican war drained Mexico’s economy and left government in disorder.
2 major groups formed: Liberals and Conservatives.
Conservative= rich &military leaders
Liberals= poor, landless people
Benito Juarez was a liberal leader who led a reform movement. The movement resulted in a new constitution!
The new constitution guaranteed people
Freedom of speech.
What were the effects of the Mexican war?
Benito Juarez

8. WAR AND REFORM
What led to the Mexican Revolution? Mexican Revolution 1910 Results of the Revolution
In 1876 General Porfirio Diaz became dictator after the death of President Benito Juarez.
Diaz gave land, power or favors to anyone who supported him. The Rich were back on top!
By 1910, 1% of landowners controlled 90% of the land in Mexico.
Farmers wanted their own land, fair wages and better working conditions.
Began when a wealthy rancher named Francisco Madero called for a REVOLUTION to defeat Diaz!
Leaders rose up in parts of Mexico and tried to defeat Diaz’s army.
The Constitution of 1917
The fighting among the various Mexican groups for control of the government continued turning the Revolution into a Civil War. By 1920, over 1 million Mexicans has been killed.

9. WAR AND REFORM Constitutions of 1917 Constitution of 1917 gave:
The Constitution of 1917 was adopted during the revolution to meet the demands of Mexico’s various groups and regions. Still exists today!
Redistributed millions of acres of farmland to the poor
New workers rights
Relationship of the government and the church

10. CULTURE Plaza of the Three Cultures Official Language Religion
Displays the blend of different cultures
The plaza contains the ruins of an Aztec city, a Spanish colonial church, and modern government buildings
Spanish
Most Mexicans are Roman Catholic, but some belong to other religions as well

11. Culture ¾ of Mexicans live in Urban Areas
The cities’ neighborhoods are called colonias
Poor conditions in rural areas cause people to move to the cities.(Push Factor)
Wealthier people live away from the center of the cities.
Poorer people live closer to center city in neighborhoods that have unpaved streets and no running water.
People in Mexico’s rural areas live in villages or on farms, near their fields

12. CULTURE
Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st & 2nd.It is a day to honor family members that have died.
Cinco de Mayo is the day the Mexican army defeated the French in 1862.
Futbol (soccer) is the most popular sport.
Mexicans also enjoy baseball and bullfighting.
Jai alai is a sport growing in popularity.

13. ECONOMY How is Mexico creating a stable government? Industry improving
Old vs. New
Vicente Fox’s election as president in 2000 changed Mexico from a one-party system to a multi-party democracy.
Mexico is working to improve the quality of life for its people by modernizing its industry and economy.
Old economy= agriculture & mining
New economy= industry in silver, oil production
Partido Acción Nacional

14. ECONOMY
Mexico is currently trying to modernize their economy by working together with other North American countries
Agreement that reduced trade barriers among Mexico, Canada, and the United States
Factory in which materials are imported and assembled into products for export
What is happening now in Mexico?
North American Free Trade Agreement-NAFTA
maquiladora

15. NAFTA ROUTES

16. CHALLENGES MEXICO FACES
Two Major Problems
Lack of Jobs:
Pollution:
Lack of Jobs
Pollution
People moving from rural area to urban in search of jobs, forces poor living conditions
Many Mexicans move to the U.S for job opportunities
Many Mexicans work long hours for low pay in the U.S to send money back to families in Mexico
layer of smog that hangs over Mexico City