We’ve been in Mexico for a couple weeks now and have really learned a lot about the place. Unfortunately, I started out in a hole and didn't know a whole lot about the history of Mexico, and now we find ourselves smack dab in the heart of where history has been made.
In doing some research into the history of Mexico, I have come to realize that, well, it’s complicated. The story of this country since the early days is not linear, in other words, it kinds jumps around a bit, it has not been a direct line. One step did now follow another, and often it was one step forward and two steps back.
Going way back to 1492 - most people would recognize the year when Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. He was representing Spain at the time, although he was an Italian. He claimed everything he saw for the King of Spain.
Not long after that, Cortes showed up in Mexico and began wreaking havoc. He “conquered” the Aztec empire of that time (most of Mexico), and that begat the modern day history of the country.
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This building below, now part of a University, was originally built in 1560.
How far back is "Old"?
We spent the last few days in San Miguel de Allende and were surprised to see that there was a large, rather magnificent church there in which construction was started in 1511, less than 20 years after Christopher showed up! That church just celebrated its 500th anniversary. How’s that for some history?
Spain ruled this part of the world for three hundred years. Mexico achieved its independence in 1821, but it was not easy. It took almost eleven years of war with the Spanish. And from that point it was a rocky road for quite a while.
Just two years later, in 1823, all of Central America broke away from Mexico. So Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (part of which became Belize) all broke away and achieved independence - leaving Mexico a much smaller nation.
Mexico was a young nation and not particularly strong as it struggled to unify the vast territory it controlled, including the remote north. Before too long, another rough patch hit when Mexico got into a war provoked by the United States. They lost that war and a fair bit of northern Mexico, which eventually became Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Much of what we know as the modern nation of Mexico was basically formed by the year 1848.
Well, it gets worse ...
In 1860 or so, the Europeans, led by Napoleon the 3rd, wanted to re-establish themselves in Mexico and decided to plant a monarch there. Hunh? What kind of foreign policy is that? They picked a guy named Maximilian and appointed him as king/emperor.
The Mexicans didn’t take too kindly to this and when Napoleon's army arrived they promptly defeated them on May 5, 1862. This was a big deal. The French Army was reputed to the be the best in the world, and a much smaller Mexican army crushed the invaders.
If you pay much attention to dates, you know that May 5 has particular significance to Mexico - Cinco de Mayo!
Nevertheless, Maximilian eventually prevailed, but struggled to rule the country. It was a turbulent time, and after four short years he was eventually overthrown and executed by firing squad.
Ever since then, Mexico has been under self rule.
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Today's Mexico
At this stage of world history, Mexico is a very significant country based on size, population, and economy. It is the 15th largest country in the world by size and the 11th by population.
The economy - which rates as 12th in the world - has grown by leaps and bounds and they have massive reserves of oil and other natural resources. There is also a vibrant manufacturing component to the Mexican economy. It consumes the second most United States exports in the world, and is the USA's third largest trading partner.
I was amazed on our travels here to see a massive Mazda plant by the freeway, and and even bigger GM plant. They love Chevy's in Mexico!
Mexico also has a thriving tourism industry. It ranks 8th in the world with 38 million visitors a year! (personally, we have helped in a small way to contribute to that).
When you see the colonial structures and travel on ancient roads, you realize what a rich past Mexico has. And a promising future. It’s really a rather amazing place.
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