Making of the Modern Mexican State NOTE: To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image. Section 1

The Stats Officially called los Estados Unidos Mexicanos Capital City: la Cuidad de Mexico Population: 123.2 million Major religion: Roman Catholic (83%) Ethnic Groups Mestizo – 62% Predominantly Amerindian – 21% Amerindian – 7% Other (mostly European) – 10% Language: Spanish, indigenous languages Currency: peso Flag adopted on November 2, 1821; design taken from French tricolor flag; colors of the national liberation army of Mexico; coat of arms in center is the badge of Mexico City Mestizo: a person of mixed white, indigenous, and sometimes African descent Indigenous groups of Mayans in the South and Nahua in central regions Issues of race and class divide society Largely urban city Lots of migration into the borders, specifically maquiladoras – factories that produce goods for export, normally along the border

The Elephant in the Room… Current Mexico and U.S. relations since beginning of presidential election in 2016 “Bringing crime and drugs” so “we’re going to build a wall.” Also, renegotiate and change trade agreements. President Enrique Pena Nieto – invited Trump to visit This went about as well as you could expect. Trump wins presidency – peso drops dramatically Pena Nieto brought back Videgray to be foreign secretary. Pena Nieto canceled Washington trip when told wall would be paid for by Mexico. Difficult for Mexican presidents to take a nationalist standpoint, particularly after 1994 with NAFTA; cannot be as confrontational as they would probably like Pena Nieto was given a negative reaction from the Mexican population – would have been unheard of prior to his election due to single party system Multi-party system Free press Engagement of citizenry

Political Organization Breakdown Political System Federal Republic Regime History Democratic since 1946; periods of military authoritarianism (1964-1985) Constitution 1917 Administrative Federal state wit 31 states and a capital Executive President Legislative Bicameral Congress – Senate and Chamber of Deputies Judiciary Supreme Court with independent federal and state court system Party system Multiparty system (beginning in 2000)

Geographic Setting Includes Roughly 3x the size of Texas Costal plains High plateaus Fertile valleys Rain forests Deserts Roughly 3x the size of Texas Mountain ranges on both sides Communication and transportation are difficult. Infrastructure is EXPENSIVE. Agricultural fields in the north; small farms in the south Rich in oil, silver, and natural resources

Independence, Instability, and Dictatorship (1810-1910) Spanish rule from 1521 to 1810 Miguel Hidalgo – began series of wars for independence Mexican independence gained in 1821 – struggle for a decent government 1833-1855 33 DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS Caudillos were doing most of the work. 1833-1855: 33 different governments!!! – liberals, conservatives, monarchists, republicans, federalists, centralists, you name it – everyone was trying to shape future Mexico Caudillos: charismatic populist leaders; usually have a military background; use patronage and draw upon personal loyalties to dominate a region or nation DURING THIS 20 YEARS…

Independence, Instability, and Dictatorship (1810-1910) Mexico lost half its territory. Constitution of 1857; European occupation Porfirio Diaz and the Porfiriato DURING THIS 20 YEARS… Central America rejected rule from Mexico City in 1823 Texas won independence in 1836 and became a U.S. state in 1845 Border dispute caused U.S. to declare war on Mexico in 1846 – 1848 treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo recognized loss of Texas and gave the U.S. the title to New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, and part of Colorado for $18 million 1854 – Gadsden Purchase, $10 million for silver of land that becomes part of Arizona and New Mexico Constitution of 1857 – goals of liberals like somewhat democratic government, bill of rights, limitations on Catholic rule 1861 – Spain, Great Britain, and France occupied Veracruz due to debts still owed. French put European Prince on the throne – Emperor Maximillian from 1864-1867 Benito Juarez returns to presidency in 1867 in an overthrow and hailed as an early proponent of a more democratic government Porfirio Diaz: cam to power in 1876; a retired general; established a dictatorship known as the porfiriato; brought sustained stability for 34 years and was welcomed by the people; imposed an authoritarian rule to create political order and economic progress; with the cientificos, wanted to adopt modern European tech and modernize, encourage foreign investment and country developed rapidly; social tensions increased with people being pushed off land and middle/upper classes began to resent Diaz’s political power

The Mexican Revolution and Sonoran Dynasty (1910-1934) Revolution of 1910 Ended Porfiriato First great social revolution Coup d’etat Diaz had promised free elections. Francisco Madero stepped up 1913, Madero is assassinated by a coup. Emiliano Zapata Agrarian revolt over land claims and legislation Manifesto Plan de Ayala added to future constitution

The Mexican Revolution and Sonoran Dynasty (1910-1934) 1916 Venustiano Carranza places himself as head of to government. Francisco (Pancho) Villa – military maneuvers and increased hostility to U.S. Constitution of 1917 Formal set of political institutions and progressive and economic rights Agrarian reform, set work-day, public education, universal male suffrage, restrictions on owning land, limited power of the Catholic Church. Sonoran Dynasty Committed to capitalist model of economic development. Plutarco Elias Calles – jefe maximo Jefe maximo – supreme leader  held control from 1929 to 1934; contenders for power would accommodate each other’s interests in expectation that without political violence, the country would be able to prosper  idea to the Institutional Revolutionary Party

Lazaro Cardenas, Agrarian Reform, and the Workers (1934-1940) Hand-picked successor to Calles Mobilized peasants and workers Distributed 49 million acres of land Most became ejidos. Encouraged unions, higher wages, and better working conditions 1938: took petroleum industry from foreign investors and placed under government control Incorporated bulk of Mexican population into the political system. Increased role of the state in industrialization, credit to agriculture, and creation of infrastructure. Ejidos: land granted by Mexican government to an organized group of peasants; collective land grant

The Politics of Rapid Development (1940-1982) Clientelism: extensive chain of relationships based on exchange of favors Solidified the PRI and political system Encouraged industrialization and wealth Protests of authoritarian tendencies Oil discovered in Gulf of Mexico in 1970s – fueled (lol) the economy until fall of prices in 1980 Default on national debt

1993 – President Carlos Salinas signed NAFTA Crisis and Reform (1982-2002) New policies to limit government roles in economy and reduce trade barriers 1993 – President Carlos Salinas signed NAFTA Closely tied economic development to international conditions PRI still holding power despite guerrilla movements and assassination of candidates. In 1997, loses its majority in the lower house of congress. 2000 – first non-PRI President, Vicente Fox

President Fox and a Multiparty Democracy Lacked government experience, a compliant congressional majority, and a close relationship with his party, National Action Party (PAN) Possible relationship with the United States Events of 9/11 shifted U.S. attention 2006 presidential candidate – Felipe Calderon Merida Initiative 2012 – return to the PRI with President Enrique Pena Nieto “Pact for Mexico”  with major party leaders for needed reforms Had a divided legislature and a questioning citizenry Widespread protests, allegations of corruption, relationship with border countries Merida Inititative: with U.S support, helping fight transnational criminal organizations – specifically drug traffickers