Post-Independence Mexico
Photo: Manuel Paris, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Out of the frying pan and into the fire, that might have been the feeling of a typical Mexican in the post-independence era of the mid-to-late 19th century into the first few years of the 20th century. To say it was a tumultuous time would be a severe understatement. Wars, insurrection, coups, foreign invasions and an authoritarian dictatorship were what lay in store for the century following Mexico's hopeful advance into independence. This article presents a very brief, perhaps opinionated, and hopefully entertaining look at the century between Mexico's independence from Spain and its civil war, the Mexican Revolution, which would have an enduring impact on Mexico's future. It covers the 90-year period from 1820 to 1910.
Monarchy and Republic (1820-1829)Once Mexico gained independence, things were shaky for the first decade.
Santa Anna (1829-1854)Adding to the turmoil of the 1820s, Spain didn't recognize Mexico's independence and made a couple of weak attempts to regain its colony, including a naval attack on the port of Tampico in 1829, which was defended by…
The Reform Era of Benito Juarez (1855-1876)In the mid-19th century, Mexico desperately cried out for a more just and equal government while conservative interests of the wealthy land owners, army leadership, and the Catholic church battled to keep their…
Porfiriato (1876-1910)Porfirio Díaz was a former war hero who sided with the liberals and he had popular support on his side, but he forgot about the people as he found gifts from foreign corporations too easy to accept and favors too easy…
Retrospective on the 19th centuryQuick recap: There weren't many Mexican heroes of the 19th century. Benito Juarez is the only major political figure who history views as a positive force in Mexico.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Post-Independence Mexico" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Manuel Paris, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons