1. Mexican Political History April 23, 2015 AP Comparative GOPO

2. Uniqueness of Mexico Experienced the longest ruling single-party government in the history of the world (PRI) Partido Revolucionario Institucional In Mexico everything below the soil belongs to the state as a whole and cannot be privately sold (gas, oil, gold, silver) Ranks 5 th among top world oil producers Is not a rentier economy because only 7 % of export earnings come from oil

3. Pre-Colonial Mexico Two major civilizations existed in Mexico the ___________ and ____________. The __________ were in the central valley of Mexico and the _________were in the Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun, Cozumal) Both had written languages and widespread scientific knowledge. Aztecs developed long-distance trade routes across the region and built large cities. There were canals and streets, drainage and garbage removal. Public streets were swept and washed daily.

4. Colonial Mexico Hernan Cortes defeated the Aztecs in 1521 and captured present day Mexico city. The Spanish had a vice king who ruled and there were few restraints on his power. No local autonomy. Catholicism was the only religion tolerated under colonial authorities and the church held great wealth and power. The Spanish mixed with indigenous groups and formed a Mestizaje race. (Majority of Mexican people) Land was divided into haciendas – large extensions of land that were sold to Spanish colonists Strict racial hierarchy existed with the Spanish on tops and indigenous on the bottom.

5. Independence and Post- independence 1808 Napoleon invaded Spain and imprisoned Spanish King and appointed his brother Joseph as ruler. This allowed for a disorder and the question of who would rule in Latin America catalyzed independence movements throughout the region In Mexico in 1810 independence movements were led by Father Miguel Hidalgo who included poor peasants. Spain recognized Mexico’s independence in 1821.

6. Independence and Post- independence Continued Two factions emerged the Conservatives who wanted the European monarch to return and to reestablish of the dominance of the Catholic Church and the liberals who sought to restrain the power of the church and follow the U.S. toward democracy and capitalism. Foreign groups came in from U.S. (1835 Texas independence and 1846 U.S. invasion. Ended with the lose of great territory in Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo) and France (1864 with aid of conservatives invaded and installed Maximillian von Hapsburg who stayed in power until 1867).

7. Porfiriato Diaz 1876 comes to power as dictator Creates a long period of peace and economic prosperity Promoted modernization projects of infrastructure (railroads, 30-mile canal system in Mexico City, and improved ports) Revived mining and oil industries and began industrialization Government advocated for foreign investors and free trade Not a good era for the poor who were sacrificed for land (they were moved onto to large haciendas to work and their standard of living decreased substantially)

8. Revolution 1910 Mexican Revolution to overthrow Diaz. Led by Francisco Madero who was supported by Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa both leaders of peasant uprisings in the south. Madero eventually overthrown by the Victoriano Huerta with aid of U.S because they wanted to keep business interest safe in Mexico. The revolution led to deaths of more than 1 million people. Ended early 1920s.

9. PRI Partido Revolucionario Institucional Formed in 1929 and became the most powerful institution in Mexican politics Strengthened under the leadership of Lazaro Cardenas from 1934-1940 During this time Cardenas redistributed the land to the poor and nationalized oil companies. Set up a corporatist system based on military, peasants, workers and middle-class Considered a one-party rule because even though opposition could run candidates the PRI won all the important elections. Elections were not always fair and president could rule as a dictator

10. Mexicanization Devotion to all things Mexican Instead of looking to Europe and North America they were inspired by Mexico Artists like Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Jose Orozco

11. La Gran Tenochtitlán, 1945, Palacio Nacional, Mexico City.

12. Zapata

13. Democratization Catalysts 1968 Mexican Summer Olympics where government spent lots of money to impress visitors, people were upset and protested and the Mexican army fired on student protest killing 400. 1985 earthquake with governments incompetent response 1980s and 1990s elections

14. Political Institutions Federal government with national, state and local levels of government 31 states and one Federal District (Mexico City) Mexico City serves as the political, financial, industrial, entertainment center of the country Until 1997 the President appointed the mayor of Mexico City.