9781422286883

Meeting Future Challenges: The Government of Mexico

Timeline 1200 B . C .

The Olmecs rule the southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

500 B . C . 150 B . C . A . D . 250

The Zapotecs come to power in central Mexico.

The city of Teotihuacán is founded

Mayans rule much of Mesoamerica until A . D . 900.

8

900–1250 Toltec civilization emerges in Mexico. 1325–1519 Aztecs arrive and establish an empire in Mexico. 1519

Hernán Cortés arrives in Mexico with a large army; two years later, he captures the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán and establishes the colony of New Spain. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rallies natives and mestizos to rebel against Spanish rule with his “Grito de Dolores.”

1810

1821 1833 1846

Agustín de Iturbide becomes Emperor of Mexico. Antonio López de Santa Anna becomes president.

The Mexican-American War begins; the two-year conflict results in Mexico losing roughly 50 percent of its northern territory to the United States. A liberal revolt drives Santa Anna out of power. Benito Juárez and others lead the new government. Juárez flees Mexico City after a conservative revolt. The War of the Reform begins.

1854

1858

1861 1864

Juárez becomes president once again.

The French, along with Mexican conservatives, make Maximilian of Austria emperor of Mexico. French withdraw from Mexico; Maximilian is executed.

1867