SOCIETY IN MEXICO
The cultural
diversity and racial mix of modern Mexico owes much to its complex,
colorful and often violent history.
HISTORY of MEXICO
Mexico had a
succession of highly sophisticated early civilizations. The Olmecs
reached their peak from 900-400 BC. They built impressive ceremonial
centers elaborately decorated with mosaics and stone carvings. The Mayas
repidly expanded into the forest of southeastern Mexico from Guatemala,
where they originated, in about 300 AD. They were a highly sophisticated,
wealthy people; archaeological remains include not only majestic stone
buildings and stepped pyramids, but also intricate jewelry, carved
figures and hieroglyphic manuscripts that are not yet fully understood.
The Aztecs, originally a nomadic people from the arid northern highlands,
migrated to Mexico's great Central Valley in about 1200. Here they became
the dominant power and built their capital, Tenochtitlán, on the site of
modern Mexico City, from which they established a vast empire. Their
architecture, jewelry and textiles were outstanding; they used a complex
calendar for time-keeping; and they practiced ritual human slaughter on a
grand scale to propitiate their gods. The Aztec empire was largely
destroyed by the 16th-century Spanish adventurer Hernán Cortés
(1485-1547). Tenochtitlán fell in 1521, and in 1535 the conquered
territory became New Spain.
Spanish rule was often harsh, especially in the 18th century, and
independence was not achieved until 1821. Mexico then became a republic,
adopting a federal constitution in 1824.
In 1845 Mexico tried and failed to resist the United States' annexation
of Texas. A bitter war was to follow, and further territories were ceded
by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. In 1857 the introduction of a
reformed constitution brought civil war. The reformers, led by Benito
Juarez (1806-72), were victorious.
In 1910, following the overthrow of the dictatorial president Porfirio
Diaz (1830-1915), there began a long power struggle by various
revolutionary groups, who eventually formed a single National
Revolutionary Party in 1929. In 1946 it was renamed the Party of the
Institutionalized Revolution (PRI). This party carried out many important
reforms, and remained the dominant political force during subsequent
decades.
GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
According to
the 1917 constitution, voting is mandatory for all adults over 18 years
age. The president is elected for one six-year term only. There are two
legislative houses: a 500-member chamber of deputies and a 64-member
senate. The deputies are elected for a three-year term - three quarters
of them directly and the rest according to the votes cast for individual
parties. Senators are elected for a six-year term - two for each of the
31 states and two for the Federal District. Each state elects its own
governor and legislature, but the appointment of the governor of the
Federal District is the prerogative of the president.
PEOPLE IN MEXICO
About
one-third of Mexico's population are Amerindians, while over half are
mestizos of mixed European and native descent; there are several other
minority goups. The official language is Spanish, but some 50 Amerindian
languages are also spoken. Most of the population is Roman Catholic.
More than two-thirds of Mexicans live in or around the three major cities
of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Mexico City, the capital, is
probably the world's most populous city. Large-scale emigration across
the northern border has caused difficulties with the United States,
Mexico's chief-trading partner.
