Short+History

Mexico's history boasts a long line of advanced indigenous civilizations whose accomplishments rival those of the Egyptians and early Europeans. They built huge empires, were skilled artisans, and created accurate calendars. The Olmecs were among the first inhabitants of the area. Around 2000 BC, the Mayan Empire built incredible cities throughout North and Central America, but the empire began to decline in the 10th century and eventually fell. The Aztecs were the last great empire, conquered by the Spanish in 1521. While the Spanish assimilated some aspects of the native cultures, the destruction of these civilizations was widespread. Spaniards brought Christianity to the land and ruled until the 19th century. Mexico was one of the first countries to revolt against Spain. Led by a priest named Miguel Hidalgo, the drive for independence began in September 1810 and ended in 1821. A constitution was adopted in 1824 and a republic was established. However, Antonio López de Santa Ana took power in 1833 and ruled as a dictator. During his regime, Mexico diminished in size as it lost territory comprising Texas and much of the current western United States. Santa Ana resigned in 1855 and Benito Juárez became president. In 1861, French troops invaded Mexico City and named the Austrian archduke Maximilian the emperor of Mexico. Forces under Juárez overthrew Maximilian in 1867. Dictator Porfirio Díaz came to power in 1877 and was overthrown in 1910, when Mexico entered a period of internal political unrest and violence. That period, which ended in the 1920s and produced a new constitution, became known as Mexico's social revolution.