The Zócalo Political and Cultural Center of Mexico

Tenochtitlan Aztec name for present day Mexico City Aztec name for present day Mexico City Founded in 1325 – on Lake Texcoco Founded in 1325 – on Lake Texcoco Urban built environment divided into four zones Urban built environment divided into four zones One of the largest cities in the World in 1519 One of the largest cities in the World in 1519

Spanish Conquest Hernán Cortés arrives on November 8, 1519 Hernán Cortés arrives on November 8, 1519 Moctezuma II believed Cortés to be the returning god Quetzalcoatl Moctezuma II believed Cortés to be the returning god Quetzalcoatl Aided by local tribes, Cortés conquers and destroys most the city Aided by local tribes, Cortés conquers and destroys most the city Mexico City’s Zócalo is located at the original central plaza and market of Tenochtitlan Mexico City’s Zócalo is located at the original central plaza and market of Tenochtitlan

Mexican Independence (1810 – 1821) Miguel Hidalgo, a parish priest Miguel Hidalgo, a parish priest Led a peasant rebellion against the wealthy land owners Led a peasant rebellion against the wealthy land owners Mexico marks its independence on September 16, 1810 Mexico marks its independence on September 16, to 1821, most the fighting was done by guerrilla forces 1815 to 1821, most the fighting was done by guerrilla forces José María Morelos y Pavón takes over for Higalgo José María Morelos y Pavón takes over for Higalgo Treaty of Córdoba sealed Mexican independence Treaty of Córdoba sealed Mexican independence

Mexico/USA compete for Control of North America Texas fights for independence opens the conflict Texas fights for independence opens the conflict Mexican American War Mexican American War Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ratifies U. S. dominance Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ratifies U. S. dominance

Ruins of the Templo Mayor of the Aztecs: Tenochtitlan

Templo Mayor as an Urban Structure - 60 m high - Dominated the plaza with duel temples - Tlaloc (god of water and rain, mainstay of the crop cycle), - Huitzilopochtli (god of war, patron of conquests and tributes

Catedral Metropolitana

Catedral Metropolitana as an Urban Structure Located on the Zócalo Oldest and largest cathedral in Latin America Baroque facade and 64m Neoclassical-style towers 18 bells each Current cathedral built 1667, finished 1813

La Enseñanza Church Second oldest cathedral in Mexico City Built in late 17 th -18 th century Baroque style built by Francisco Guerrero

Palacio Nacional Hernán Cortés, built this government palace on the site of Moctezuma's palace. Palacio Nacional of today dates back to Floor was added in the 1920s. Contains murals by Diego Rivera. Portrays "Epic of the Mexican People in their Struggle for Freedom and Independence“ Portrays "Epic of the Mexican People in their Struggle for Freedom and Independence“ Two thousand years of history are condensed into space of an enormous wall. Two thousand years of history are condensed into space of an enormous wall.

Palacio Nacional

Courtyard of Palacio Nacional

Diego Rivera Murals

Murals of Palacio Nacional

The Zócalo Today

The Zócalo Surroundings

La Enseñanza Church

Political Significance For the Spanish - the plaza is “a manifestation of local social order, of the between citizens and the authority of the state.” For the Amerindians – representation of Aztec plazas at the center of the cities

The Tiger of the South and the Centaur of the North Mexican Revolution of 1910 – 1917 Mexican Revolution of 1910 – 1917 Overthrew the dictator Porferio Dictator Dias Overthrew the dictator Porferio Dictator Dias Revolutionaries occupied and held Mexico City 3 times - between ) Revolutionaries occupied and held Mexico City 3 times - between )

Zapatistas look back to earlier revolutionaries Lead by Subcomandante Marcos More than 100,000 people crowded the Plaza Demand Indian Rights Secure their place in Modern Mexico

Question 1 The plaza has played a significant role in Mexican politics in the past, will this be changed by new venues of political communication in the 21 st century?

Question 2 The cultural significance of the plaza and its surrounding urban infrastructure has been great since before the Spanish conquest. What is the political significance of the urban built environment in in contemporary Mexico?

Question 3 How have contemporary Mexican governments used plazas in general, and the Zócalo specifically, to shape Mexican political culture?

Sources "Tenochtitlan." 7 Feb "The Mexican-American War." 7 Feb "The Spanish Conquest." 7 Feb "Wars of Independence, " 7 Feb "Tenochtitlan." 7 Feb "The Mexican-American War." 7 Feb "The Spanish Conquest." 7 Feb "Wars of Independence, " 7 Feb

Sources Low, Setha M. Cultural Meaning of the Plaza: The History of the Spanish-American Gridplan-Plaza Urban Design. In the Cultural Meaning of Urban Space. Robert Rotenburg and Gary Mcdonogh, eds. CT and London. Bergin & Garvey Rebels ride into Mexico City. BBC. 11 Mar

Sources "Emiliano Zapata." Wikipedia. 8 Feb "Who Was Pancho Villa?" The California Native. 8 Feb