The History of Modern Mexico Through Murals

Interpreting Murals Murals are any form of painting on a wall or rock surface. Mexico’s murals date back to 1000 B.C.E Elaborate murals adorned sacred temples of the Toltecs, Aztecs and Maya

Interpreting Murals The Murals told stories of gods and goddesses, and showed important ceremonies and scenes of everyday life. They were painted in vivid colors, with an emphasis on geometric and complex patterns of figures, animals, and shapes.

Interpreting Murals After the Spanish conquered Mexico in the sixteenth century, the mural tradition changed dramatically. Murals became less popular And often told Christian stories

Interpreting Murals The Mexican Revolution in the 1920s and 1930s encouraged a new appreciation for the rich mural traditions of native Mexican cultures. Three artist led the “muralist movement” Diego Rivera Jose Clemente Orozco David Alfaro Sizueiros

Interpreting Murals These new murals showed images of every day Indian life and religion along with scenes drawn from the Mexican Revolution. The murals were created in a Vibrant, muscular style reminiscent of the murals of ancient Mexico.

Interpreting Murals How to interpret murals An object is anything that can be seen or touched Dove Chains Or a person. A symbol is an image or object that represents something else Doves stand for peace Chains stand for bondage Skulls stand for death.

Tenochtitlan Market Place Tenochtitlan Marketplace by Diego Rivera in 1933 Tenochtitlan Market Place Mountains surrounded the Valley of Mexico The Aztecs build Tenochtitlan on swampy ground at the center of Lake Texcoco The city was an important religious center filled with pyramids topped with temples A laborer or slave is identified by his simple loincloth and headband The importance of family is seen here as mother carries her baby in a rebozo, or large scarf The headdress this man wears identifies him as a wealthy noble. Petates, or Mats, were woven out of reeds from the nearby lakes and used for indoor and outdoor floor coverings Turkeys are readied for market and were a key indigenous food found in the Americas. A snake appears on this Aztec Cloth and represents Quetzalcoatl, a god of creation

Aztec Society 1345 - 1521 In 1345 the Aztecs or the Mexica(meh-Shee-ka) founded the city of Tenochtitlan. They were a fierce warlike people that had conqured most of Mexico by 1500. By 1502 Tenochtitlan, under the rule of Moctezuma II, became an impressive city. The city had temples, pyramids, palaces, and a huge marketplace.

Conquest by Jose Clemente Orozco The bearded Spaniard is Hernan Cortes conqueror of the Aztec empire. Conquest by Jose Clemente Orozco The Winged Angel above Cortes shows the partnership of the Catholic Church in the conquest of Mexico. It may also be “winged victory” telling Cortes to be kind to his conquered subjects The Fire raging in the background represents the widespread destruction brought by Cortes and the Spanish Soldiers Cortes’ heartless nature is symbolized by the empty space on his chest where his heart should be. Cortez and the angle above him are made of Machinery, Symbolizing the New European technology used by Cortez to conquer the Aztecs Cortes is carrying an iron sword, which he rest on the dismembered bodies of his Aztec Victims. The Aztecs had no metal to match the strength of the iron weapons brought by the Europeans

Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs, 1521 In 1519 Cortes arrived in Tenochtitlan accompanied by a small group of soldiers. Aztecs thought the Europeans were gods resembling Quetzalcoatl a fair skin blue-eyed god-king.

Spanish Conquest of the Aztecs, 1521 Within 2 years he had conquered the powerful Aztec Empire. Reasons for Aztec fall Cortes found ready allies among Indian nations the Aztecs had conquered. Diseases such as Small Pox, that were brought by the Europeans, killed thousands of Aztecs and Native Americans. Europeans Technology – Horses, Metal armor and weapons, guns and canons.

Creation of the Mestizo, 1500s After conquering the Aztecs, the Spaniards continued to influence the indigenous population of Mexico. Many of the soldiers took wives from the Native population. Mixing of Spanish and Indian races created a new people called the Mestizos, who today form a vast majority of the population.

Colonial Domination by Diego Rivera, 1933 Spaniards, dressed in armor and wearing European hats, whip yoked Indians like animals. Rivera painted the Spaniards’ faces to look animal like and the Indians to appear more human, heroic, and perhaps even angelic Colonial Domination by Diego Rivera, 1933 The position of submission of Cuauhtémoc, the last emperor of the Aztec empire to the standing conquistador, or Spanish conqueror, shows the defeat of the Aztecs. Backbreaking labor in the gold mines was forced upon the Indians by the fortune-hungry Spanish The Spanish Flag, the Catholic cross and the Sword are three symbols of the Conquest that represent the political, religious, and military power the Spanish used to Colonize the area. The line of Indians yoked to a plow shows how the Spaniards treated the indigenous population as beast of burden. The donkey in the mural are being treated with more dignity The Spaniard’s greed is symbolized by the bag of gold held by the Spaniard. The Spanish conquistadores use a branding iron to brand an Indian, which shows that some Spaniards treated Indians like Livestock

Spanish Treatment of Indians 1500s to 1800s Spanish colonial practices were cruel and barbarous. The Church considered the Indians heathens and therefore blessed the effort to convert them to Catholicism. However churchmen efforts to protect the Indians lost out to the demand for wealth and power.

Spanish Treatment of Indians 1500s to 1800s The new Spanish colonies were built with forced Indian labor. Large land grants called enconmiendas, were given to the Spanish Colonist by the Spanish King. Included in this grant was the right to force labor from Indians living on the land. Indians were forced to work in mines, build churches, and other buildings.

Spanish Treatment of Indians 1500s to 1800s During this time, disease brought from Europe – such as smallpox, typhoid, and measles – continued to ravage the Indian population. Disease and brutal work conditions reduced the Indian population from 25 Million in 1519 to 1 Million by 1700.

Hidalgo by Jose Clemente Orozco, 1939 Father Hidalgo is raising a clenched fist in rebellion against Spanish colonial rule The priest’s collar worn by Hidalgo and the cross painted in the mural emphasize the role of the Church in the rebellion. The color red dominates the mural as death and violence permeated this era of Mexican history. The masses of people portray the large number of followers commanded by Hidalgo and the popularity of the quest for independence among Indians and mestizos. Hidalgo holds a machete, the symbol of Mexican agriculture, now on fire as it used for revolt by the masses

Mexican Independence 1810 - 1821 As Mexico moved into the 19th century the social classes were still very much divided based on skin color and heritage. Peninsulares – People born in Spain who filled the top positions of government Criollos – or people of pure Spanish decent born in Mexico, were wealthy upper class. Mestizos – half Spanish half Indian or African had very few rights and lived lives of hard work and poverty Indians – Little to no rights.

Mexican Independence 1810 - 1821 The early Mexican revolution was led by Indians and Mestizos. They pushed for reforms in… Social Equality Male Suffrage (right to vote) Representational government Distribution of unused land Most early revolutionaries were executed

Mexican Independence 1810 - 1821 The final push for Independence came from the criollos looking to take power from the peninsulares In 1821 Mexico became an independent country however none of the reforms that the mestizos and natives supported were ever enacted

Juarez and the fall of the Empire by Jose Clemente Orozco 1948 In 1862, Mexico was conquered by France and Archduke Maximilian of Austria became emperor of Mexico. The crown and royal clothing in the mural represent the emperor Juarez’s fiercest battles were to control the role of the Church in Mexican Politics and government. Orozco painted priest being subdued by soldiers to symbolize this struggle Juarez’s leadership of Mexico cam at a time when the country faced much foreign intervention. The European general represent the military invasion of both Spain and France in Mexico during the nineteenth century. The Mexican flag represent the growing patriotism of emerging middle class of Mexican professionals, like Juarez, who was a lawyer and politician The mural is permeated by the color red as death and violence permeated this era of Mexican History The Indian feature of Benito Juarez are shown in this mural Machetes, weapons of the people, are shown in the hands of fighting peasants

Benito Juarez and the French Invasion, 1831-1872 Benito Juarez (a Zapotec Indian from Oaxaca), the first leader to bring significant legal reform to Mexico He was dedicated to helping the poor and protecting them against corruption. During this time: Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was Mexico’s military dictator The Catholic Church controlled land education and politics.

Benito Juarez and the French Invasion, 1831-1872 Juarez and the liberal middle class overthrew Santa Anna and instituted a constitutional democracy The new constitution espoused freedom of education, freedom of speech and the press and some controls over the church.

Benito Juarez and the French Invasion, 1831-1872 French Emperor Louis Napoleon Bonaparte III wanted to control all of Latin America and invaded Mexico The French Army began marching and after a brief set back on Cinco de Mayo Napoleon took control of Mexico and made Archduke Maximilian of Austria emperor of Mexico.

Benito Juarez and the French Invasion, 1831-1872 Most Mexicans resented being controlled by a foreign emperor. They joined with Juarez to overthrow the French. Benito Juarez continued to reform Mexico to become more democratic.

The generals in uniform symbolize Diaz’s control over the army Revolution Against Porfirian Dictatorship by David Alfaro Siqueiros in 1922 Porfirio Dias is surrounded by hovering crowds The top hats worn by the men along with their gloved hands, show the increasing wealth of a small portion of Mexican society. Foreign and Mexican industrialists amassed enormous fortunes during this period, without engaging in physical labor themselves. Diaz is stepping on an open book, showing his disregard for the laws and policies instituted by more progressive Juarez government The men wear European clothes and moustaches, and upper class-women are also dressed in European style. Diaz idealized Europe and the United States, and looked down upon the Indian and Mestizo population of Mexico. Porfirio Dias is surrounded by hovering crowds

Dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz, 1876 – 1910 Porfirio Diaz came to power overthrowing a weak government after the death of Benito Juarez Diaz inherited a country with… social and economic problems deeply in debt to many foreign goverements Outdated mining and farming techniques

Dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz, 1876 – 1910 Diaz focused his attention on business and industry. He invite foreign investors into the country Built railroads Revolutionized mining(which had remained unchanged since the colonial times) Introduced new farming techniques Began new manufacturing industries Mexico became modernized

Dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz, 1876 – 1910 While life improved for a small wealthy class in Mexico, poor Mexicans were worse off than before. By 1910 the peasants had lost their land Illiteracy and malnourishment were widespread Average life expectancy was 30 years Mexicans revolted once again in May of 1910. Porfirio Diaz resigned and the Mexican Revolution began.

“Repression” part of a larger mural “History and Perspective of Mexico” by Diego Rivera 1933 Rurales, or government forces are seated on horseback and are wearing carbines. The man wearing the sombrero and holding the whip is overseeing the workers. These two images symbolize the forms of coercion used to make the peasants work on the haciendas The peasants are being held at gunpoint by government forces The sickle is held by a bent-over worker. During this time period , peasants lost their lands and were forced to work on large haciendas for little or no wages

Repression During the Rule of Porfirio Diaz Diaz used rurales, or government forces to enforce “peace” Campesinos, or peasants lived in virtual slavery.

The Trench by Jose Clemente Orozco 1927 The there soldados or soldiers, mirroring the Christian trinity add a powerful religious element to this mural. This is heightened by the cross form by the angles of soldiers’ bodies The carbines and rifle help to reinforce the atmosphere of revolution The color red, which pervades this mural, reflects the bloody and painful nature of this 10-year-long revolution The sharp angles of the bodies of the soldados add to the drama of the scene

The Mexican Revolution 1910 - 1920 On November 20, 1910, oppressed campesinos, students and ambitious politicians joined together and the Cry “Viva La Revolucion!” was heard throughout the land May 25, 1911 Diaz resigned his presidency It took 10 years violence for the revolution to end

The Mexican Revolution 1910 - 1920 In 1920 the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (Institutional Revolutionary Party) or PRI with the presidency of Alvaro Obregon. The PRI has ruled mexico since 1920

Land Distribution by Diego Rivera 1920 The government bureaucrat is indicating with his outstretched arm the land that is to be given to the campesinos, He points to a blueprint showing land parcels The legal books indicate the government's commitment to the redistribution of hacienda land, a commitment made into law by the constitution of 1917 The faces of the rich men show their anger of their land being redistributed The campesinos have taken off their sombreros, a sign of the solemn nature of the occasion. The campesinos are holding their rifles in a nonthreatening positions, signifying an end to they recent violence of the revolution.

The Legacy of the Mexican Revolution Hacienda land redistribution to the campesinos Mexico’s pre-Spanish roots and Mexican heroes and replaced European and Spanish ones

The Legacy of the Mexican Revolution Despite some improvements the PRI was controlled by criollos who smothered democracy. Corruption was rampant in large industry such as oil. Indians were still treated poorly Many poor Mexican had to leave the countryside to find jobs in the big cities or the United States.