Revolution & Modern Mexico (1810–1920)
On September 16, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo called for an uprising against the Spaniards in the small town of Dolores — the famous Grito de Dolores (now a national holiday). This was followed by 11 years of the War of Independence, until Mexico was finally free in 1821.
The Turbulent 19th Century
- Mexican-American War (1846–1848): Mexico lost half of its territory to the USA — California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado. A national trauma that still resonates today.
- Emperor Maximilian (1864–1867): Napoleon III sent the Habsburg Maximilian I. as emperor to Mexico — supported by Mexican conservatives. The liberal president Benito Juárez (a Zapotec from Oaxaca!) defeated the French. Maximilian was executed in Querétaro in 1867. Juárez is Mexico's national hero.
- Porfiriato (1876–1911): 35 years of dictatorship under Porfirio Díaz. Modernization (railroads, electricity), but at the expense of the rural population: large landowners controlled 97% of the land.
The Mexican Revolution (1910–1920)
One of the bloodiest revolutions in history (1–2 million dead). The major figures:
- Francisco Madero: Instigator of the Revolution, first democratic president, assassinated in 1913.
- Emiliano Zapata: The peasant leader from the south. His battle cry "Tierra y Libertad!" (Land and Freedom) is still alive today. Assassinated in an ambush in 1919.
- Pancho Villa: The charismatic bandit/revolutionary from the north. Invaded the USA in 1916 (the only invasion of the USA after 1812). Assassinated in 1923.
The Revolution led to the Constitution of 1917 and the founding of the PRI (Party of the Institutional Revolution), which ruled Mexico for 71 years uninterrupted (1929–2000) — the longest one-party rule in a democracy.
