Mexico’s History

Chapter 6, Section 2, Part 2

 Spanish Mexico
Aztec rulers were very harsh, and some Native
Americans were opposed to their rule. (ex. Human
sacrifices to gods)

When Hernan Cortez (Spain) and his army landed

on Mexico’s Gulf coast, many Native Americans
signed treaties with them and helped to overthrow
the Aztecs.
 Spanish Mexico
• Spain made Mexico a colony because
they wanted the gold and silver deposits.
• Many Spaniards moved to Mexico and
raised cattle on haciendas (large ranches).
 Spanish Mexico
Native Americans worked on the
haciendas and in the mines, and many
died from mistreatment and diseases.
 Spanish Mexico
Today about 90% of Mexico’s people are
Roman Catholic, due to the work of priests
from Spain during this time.
 Independence and Revolution
• By 1810, the Mexican
people were tired of
being a Spanish (Spain)
colony, so they began a
rebellion.
• The rebellion leader was
a Mexican Catholic
priest, Miguel Hidalgo.
Independence and Revolution
Hidalgo was executed by the Spanish, but
the Mexicans still won their independence
from Spain in 1821.
 Independence and Revolution
• Texas fought and won its independence from
Mexico and asked to join the U.S.
• In 1846, Mexico fought the U.S. in a war over
the southern Texas border with Mexico.
• In the treaty to end the war, lost valuable
territory that are included the (now) states of
California, Utah and Nevada.