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The
colonial period lasted from 1521 to 1810, when Mexico was known
as Nueva España, stretching from the Caribbean to Costa Rica to
today's southwestern U.S.
Europeans dominated politics and economy in colonial Mexico, with
Mestizos second, and native peoples coming in third. Many natives
were unemployed, since Mexico did not yet have any Wal-Marts.
In 1810, Napoleon I put his brother on the Spanish throne, causing
a bit of a flap. Liberales wanted a democratic Mexico, and conservadores
wanted Mexico ruled by a Bourbon king who'd keep the status quo
for rich landowners. Bicker, bicker, bicker. The liberales and the
conservadores, however, agreed on one thing: Mexico had to cut loose
from Spain.
Enter Miguel Hidaldo who, on September 16th, fought back and cried,
"Down with the Bourbons, down with Napoleon, down with pastries
and paella! We want tequila and tortillas." Everybody and his brother
fought ferociously for eleven years and at last, in 1821, independence
from Spain was won. Castanets were exchanged for clarinets, and
all street names were changed to Avenida 16 Septiembre.
Agustín de Iturbide, a former Spanish general who switched sides
more often than John Kerry, had fought for Mexican independence,
and then proclaimed himself emperor. Now the people had to revolt
all over again and overthrow that guy, which they finally did in
1823 with the establishment of the United Mexican States.
The next year, Guadalupe Victoria became the first president of
the new country and, no, he wasn't gay. His real name was Félix
Fernández; he chose his new names to give thanks to both Our Lady
of Guadalupé for her protection, and Victoria for victory.
Different presidents came and went, including three who ruled simultaneously
as a triumvirate in 1829, and there was instability throughout most
of the 19th Century. U.M.S. lost many of its northern territories,
thanks to the greedy dictator, Santa Anna, who sold off much land
for personal profit. It is thought that former U.S. Vice President
Spiro Agnew followed Santa Anna's example when he secretly sold
off portions of public lands in the Rocky Mountains.
We now come to the Mexican-American War (1846-48) which was started
for two reasons: (1) U.S. believed it had a God-given right to expand
it borders "from sea to shining sea." This belief was given a catchy
title by political strategists - "Manifest Destiny." This is called
pre-wash spin. Never mind that it was unjust to the Mexicans and
the Native Americans. That doesn't count. (2) Santa Anna, a prisoner
of war at the time, signed the Treaty of Velasco giving Texas the
independence it sought. The U.S loves to sign treaties; honoring
them is another story. next
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Copyright
Maggie Van Ostrand
"A Balloon In Cactus"
- November 7, 2005 column
Email: maggie@maggievanostrand.com
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