Colonization of Mexico Timeline

This timeline illustrates seven

of some of the most significant
events in Mexicos history,
ranging from early colonization
of the country to present-day
occurrences.

1428 Aztec Empire Begins

In 1428, the Aztecs emerged as the

dominant civilization in central

Mexico after overthrowing their
rivals in the city of Azcapotzalco.
The Aztecs go on to create an
empire with advanced social,
political, and economical workings.
They begin to create intricate
temples and establish various
markets.
The Aztecs language Nahuatl
becomes the primary spoken
language in central Mexico by the
1350s, further exemplifying their
dominance.

August 13, 1521 End of the Aztec

Empire, Beginning of the Spanish Rule
On August 13th, 1521, Hernan

Cortes and his Spanish forces

conquer the Aztec city of
Tenochtitlan.
By conquering the city at the center
of Aztec rule, they effectively
overthrow the Aztec Empire,
establishing themselves as the new
rulers of the New World.
Cortes and the Spaniards begin to
build Mexico City, which is soon
recognized as the premier
European center in the New
World.

May 12, 1846 U.S.-Mexican War

On May 12th, 1846, the United States

declares war on Mexico over disputes

of the ownership of land in Texas,
California, and New Mexico.
The United States quickly dominates
the Mexican forces, although Mexico
refuses to release lands to the United
States.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is
signed on February 2nd, 1848, and
declares the lands of Texas, California,
and New Mexico to be part of the
United States.
In return, Mexico is paid $15 million
dollars by the United States.

1877 The Dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz Begins

After a series of revolts, Porfirio Diaz

gains control of Mexico as the

executive leader.
Once a General in the Mexican army,
Diaz begins a thirty-year dictatorship
over the country.
Diaz oversees significant economic
growth in Mexico due to increased
international investment in the
country.
These investments quickly catapult
Mexico City into metropolitan status,
at the benefit of the upper class and
the detriment of the majority lower
class.

November 20, 1910 The Mexican

Revolution
After rising tensions in Mexico under the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz,

lawyer Francisco Madero organizes a revolt against Diaz.

Madero introduces the Plan of San Luis Potosi, which supports the
working class, promotes democracy, and opposes the Diaz regime.
Lead by Maderos work, Mexico declares war on Diaz, and in 1911,
Madero is elected president.
The election of Madero as president sparks reforms for the lower class
in southern and northern Mexico as well.

December 17, 1992 The NAFTA is Signed

On December 17th, 1992, the

North American Free Trade

Agreement (NAFTA) is signed
by Mexican President Carlos
Salinas, United States
President George H.W. Bush,
and Canadas Prime Minister
Brian Mulroney.
The NAFTA eliminates trade
barriers between Mexico, the
U.S., and Canada.
The implementation of
NAFTA in 1994 begins
Mexicos involvement in
globalization.

2000 Vicente Fox Wins Presidential Election

In the 2000 national presidential election in Mexico, PAN (Partido de

Accion National) candidate Vicente Fox wins the election.

This marks the first win for the PAN party over the PRI party in over 70
years.
Fox focuses his presidency on improving trade and immigration issues
with the United States, as well as opposing drug and firearm trafficking.

Sources:

http://www.history.com/topics/mexico/mexico-

timeline
http://www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicohistory.h

tm
http://history-world.org/mexico.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0886243.html