History of Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the largest and oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Western Hemisphere, with a rich and…

By Staff , in Cities , at October 1, 2024 Tags: cities, mexico, mexico city

Find Cheap Textbooks - Save on New & Used Textbooks at AbeBooks.com

Mexico City is one of the largest and oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Western Hemisphere, with a rich and complex history that spans more than seven centuries. As the capital of Mexico, it has served as the political, cultural, and economic center of the region since the days of the Aztec Empire. Mexico City’s history is marked by its indigenous origins, its transformation under Spanish rule, and its growth into a major metropolis in the modern era.

Origins: Tenochtitlan and the Aztec Empire (14th–16th Century)
Founding of Tenochtitlan (1325)
The city’s roots trace back to Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, which was founded in 1325. According to Aztec legend, the city was established on an island in the middle of Lake Texcoco after the Aztecs (Mexica) saw an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth—a sign from their gods.
Tenochtitlan was ingeniously built on a series of small islands connected by causeways, and the Aztecs created a sophisticated system of canals, aqueducts, and chinampas (floating gardens) to support the growing population.

Aztec Power and Growth
Tenochtitlan became the center of a powerful empire that dominated much of Mesoamerica. The city was a marvel of architecture and engineering, with massive temples, palaces, and marketplaces. The Templo Mayor, the main temple of Tenochtitlan, was the religious heart of the city, where human sacrifices were performed to honor the gods.
At its height, Tenochtitlan was one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of approximately 200,000–300,000 people. The Aztec Empire expanded its influence through military conquest and tribute, making Tenochtitlan the political and economic hub of Mesoamerica.

Spanish Conquest and Colonial Era (16th–19th Century)
Spanish Conquest (1519–1521)
In 1519, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in Mesoamerica. He formed alliances with local tribes who were enemies of the Aztecs and, with their help, marched to Tenochtitlan. The Aztec emperor Moctezuma II initially welcomed Cortés, but tensions quickly escalated.
In 1521, after a brutal siege, Cortés and his forces, along with their indigenous allies, conquered Tenochtitlan, marking the end of the Aztec Empire. The city was devastated, and the Spanish began dismantling its structures, using the stones from Aztec temples and buildings to construct their own.

Foundation of Mexico City (1521)
After the fall of Tenochtitlan, the Spanish rebuilt the city and renamed it Mexico City. It became the capital of New Spain, the most important colony in the Spanish Empire. Mexico City was established on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, with Plaza Mayor (now known as the Zócalo) built on the site of the Aztec’s Templo Mayor.
Over time, the city was transformed into a Spanish colonial metropolis, with European-style architecture, churches, and plazas. Catholicism was introduced as the dominant religion, and many indigenous practices were suppressed or blended with Catholic traditions.

Colonial Growth and Significance
Throughout the colonial period, Mexico City became the administrative, religious, and cultural center of New Spain. It was the seat of the Viceroy of New Spain, the Spanish crown’s representative, and the city flourished as a hub of trade, particularly with silver from the mines in northern Mexico.
The city also saw the construction of monumental buildings, such as Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Americas, which symbolized the power of the Catholic Church and the Spanish Empire.
However, the colonial era was marked by profound inequalities. The indigenous population was subjugated, and a rigid caste system emerged, with Spaniards and criollos (people of Spanish descent born in the Americas) at the top, followed by mestizos (people of mixed Spanish and indigenous ancestry) and indigenous peoples.

Independence and the 19th Century
Mexican War of Independence (1810–1821)
The Mexican War of Independence began in 1810, led by figures such as Miguel Hidalgo, José María Morelos, and Vicente Guerrero. The conflict was fueled by dissatisfaction with Spanish rule, economic inequality, and the desire for autonomy.
After more than a decade of conflict, Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, and Mexico City became the capital of the new Mexican Empire, and later the Mexican Republic.

19th-Century Struggles
The 19th century was a turbulent period for Mexico and its capital. The country faced political instability, including multiple changes in government, foreign interventions, and civil wars.
Mexico City was occupied by foreign forces twice during this period: first by the United States during the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), and later by French forces during the reign of Emperor Maximilian I, imposed by France under Napoleon III. Mexico’s victory in the war against the French in 1867 restored the republic and the presidency of Benito Juárez.

Porfirio Díaz and Modernization (1876–1911)
Under the long rule of Porfirio Díaz (known as the Porfiriato), Mexico City underwent significant modernization. Díaz focused on transforming Mexico City into a modern, European-style capital. Major public works projects were initiated, including the construction of wide boulevards (such as Paseo de la Reforma), the expansion of public transportation, and the creation of cultural institutions.
While the city saw modernization and economic growth, the benefits of Díaz’s rule were unevenly distributed, with widespread poverty and social inequality persisting, particularly among the indigenous population and rural poor.

The Mexican Revolution and the 20th Century
Mexican Revolution (1910–1920)
The Mexican Revolution, which began in 1910, was a response to social inequalities and the authoritarianism of the Díaz regime. Mexico City played a central role during the revolution, witnessing battles and political turmoil as different factions vied for power.
The revolution led to the establishment of a new constitution in 1917 and significant political, land, and labor reforms. Mexico City became the seat of the post-revolutionary government, which sought to create a more equitable society, though the revolution left the country and its capital in a state of disrepair.

Post-Revolutionary Growth and Urbanization
After the revolution, Mexico City experienced rapid growth, as people from rural areas migrated to the capital in search of opportunities. By the mid-20th century, Mexico City had become one of the largest cities in Latin America.
Under leaders such as Lázaro Cárdenas (1934–1940), who implemented land reforms and nationalized the oil industry, and subsequent presidents, the city continued to grow both in population and in political importance.
Mexico City also became a cultural and intellectual hub, attracting writers, artists, and intellectuals such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Octavio Paz. Rivera’s murals, which depict Mexico’s history from the pre-Columbian era to the revolution, can still be seen in Mexico City’s National Palace and other public buildings.

Tlatelolco Massacre (1968)
In the lead-up to the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, student protests erupted across the country, calling for political reform, democracy, and an end to government repression. On October 2, 1968, government forces opened fire on student protesters in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco, killing hundreds in what became known as the Tlatelolco Massacre.
This event remains one of the darkest moments in modern Mexican history, and it highlighted the deep divisions and authoritarian nature of the government at the time.

Modern Mexico City (Late 20th Century–Present)
1985 Earthquake
On September 19, 1985, a massive earthquake struck Mexico City, killing at least 10,000 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless. The disaster exposed the inadequacies of the government’s emergency response and highlighted the social inequalities within the city.
In the aftermath, grassroots organizations formed to aid recovery efforts, and the earthquake became a catalyst for political activism, eventually leading to greater demands for democracy and government accountability.

Political Reforms and the Rise of Democracy
In the late 20th century, Mexico City became the center of political change. The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which had ruled Mexico for over 70 years, began to lose its grip on power, and political reforms allowed for greater local governance.
In 1997, Mexico City held its first elections for mayor, and opposition parties began to gain ground. This shift culminated in the election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador as mayor in 2000, who later became the president of Mexico in 2018.

Contemporary Mexico City
Today, Mexico City is one of the most populous cities in the world, with over 9 million residents in the city proper and over 21 million in the metropolitan area. The city is a vibrant cultural, political, and economic hub, known for its museums, historic sites, and thriving arts scene.
Despite its modernity, Mexico City continues to grapple with challenges such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and income inequality. However, it remains one of the most dynamic and culturally rich cities in the world, blending its ancient Aztec roots with its colonial past and contemporary global influence.