Changes and Continuities in Mexican Nationalism 1850-1975 Hayden Sumlin and Jackson Pierce 1B 3-24-15

Mexico in the 1850s After the surrender of Mexico City at the end of the Mexican-American War, a harsh treaty was imposed on Mexico that gave the United States territory in present day New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas. In !857 a new constitution was formed by Mexican liberals that limited the power to the Catholic Church and military. After a civil was with conservatives, Benito Juarez assumed presidency and control, and relied on France for support. As a result, Maximilian, and Austrian Habsburg, was installed and after years of warfare Juarez was able to drive the French out of Mexico.

Map of Mexico in 1850

Mexico in 1975 After independence movements 100 years earlier, foreign or European countries, still controlled the production in Latin America. This control from European powers led to1930's and 40's economic movements for nationalism. The Institutional Revolutionary Party controlled Mexico until the 1990's. Formerly known as the National Revolution Party, they controlled the country for 71 years. At this time roughly 2000 Mexican families controlled the majority of the Mexican wealth. Leaving millions of Mexicans struggling to survive. Mexican citizens had a bill of rights. No ties to foreign countries. Completely autonomous.

Map of Mexico in 1975

Change in Mexican Nationalism Change: During the rule of General Porfirio Diaz, he and his supporter tried to eradicate what they called “Mexico’s rustic traditions”. In 1911, the government and Diaz fled into exile, due to the unpopularity of this movement with the Mexican nationalists. The Mexican Revolution of 1911 was a social revolution that developed because of the government’s poor representation of the upper, middle, and lower classes together The reason for the unsatisfied middle class is because of large American monopolies on Mexico’s agriculture and industry. Another reason was because under Diaz, there was discrimination against nationalist values of the middle class. Because of theMexican Constitution of 1857 Diaz was given this power and with that power he sought to end the Mexican nationalist movement that sought to remove him.

Change in Mexican Nationalist Change: After the end of Cardenas’s term in 1940, Mexico had allowed more sectors of the population to participate in politics and limited presidential terms. Also, developed sense of nationalism with social reforms: free education, higher wages, and redistribution of land to peasants. Helped conclude the social Mexican Revolution. Eliminated a monopolized government that had ruled for eighty years and foreign control of industry. The middle class supported Cardenas because of their new involvement in Mexican politics. After 80 years of foreign involvement and a monopolized government the middle class of Mexico finally won their social revolution by the pressure they put on Cardenas for change.

Continuity in Mexican Nationalism Continuity: Mexico Continued to struggle for economic freedom. Lázaro Cárdenas' nationalization of the Oil industry, giving a monopoly to the Mexican government on oil. As well as the creation of the Institutional Revolutionary Party who had control for 71 years. In 1848 Europeans left Mexico, however they still controlled the trade and economies of these countries until the early 1910's. In the 1930's and 1940's populist political leaders experimented with programs to contain foreign investors and to drive out European influences to gain a greater sense of Mexican identity.

Continuity in Mexican Nationalism Continuity: Mexico continued to struggle to find a national identity after 300 years under Spanish control. Diaz and the Porfiriato 1876-1910, created a government that was recognized by European powers and respected. “La Reforma” from 1854-1876 under the leadership of Benito Juarez. This limited the power of the church, placed the army under civilian control, abolished hereditary titles and imprisonment for debt, and gave Mexican citizens their first genuine bill of rights. French Intervention or “The Maximilian Affair” , or “ The Mexican Adventure”, lasted for five years during the reforms (1862-1867). It was when Napoleon attacked Mexico and placed a young leader, Maximilian, in charge of a nation. The Mexicans, now with a greater sense of nationalism, quickly drove him out and established a stronger nation.

Bibliography "French Intervention in Mexico." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Mar. 2015. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. "History EE Help - Extended Essay." IB Survival. IBSurvival, 09 Feb. 2015. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. Bulliet, Richard W. The Earth and Its People: A Global History. Boston, MA: Cengage Wadsworth, 2011. Print.