A journey through 3,000 years, from the Aztec Empire to Mexican independence
Mexico's history spans more than three thousand years, from the first settled agricultural civilizations, through powerful empires that ruled Mesoamerica, to a modern nation that today stands as one of Latin America's largest economies. To understand contemporary Mexico, it helps to look at four defining chapters that shaped its identity.
Quick timeline
Ancient civilizations: thousands of years before the Spanish arrived
Long before any European set foot on the American continent, Mexico was home to some of the most sophisticated civilizations in human history. The Olmec civilization, which flourished along the Gulf coast between 1200 and 400 BCE, is considered the "mother culture" of all later Mesoamerican civilizations, having developed an early writing system, a precise calendar, and a distinctive artistic style.
The Maya civilization followed, reaching its peak between 250 and 900 CE across the regions now known as Yucatan and Chiapas. The Maya were renowned for monumental step-pyramids such as Chichen Itza, an advanced hieroglyphic writing system, and astronomical calculations so precise that their calendar rivaled anything produced in Europe at the time.
The Aztec Empire: the power that faced the Spanish
In the 14th century, the Aztecs founded the city of Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco, the very site where Mexico City stands today. By 1519, the Aztec Empire ruled over millions of people and its capital was among the largest cities in the world at the time, larger than most European capitals.
Spanish colonization: the end of one era, the start of another
In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes landed on the Mexican coast with a relatively small force. Cortes exploited tensions between the Aztecs and neighboring peoples under their rule, forming alliances against the empire. After prolonged fighting and the devastation caused by European diseases among the indigenous population, Tenochtitlan fell in 1521.
Spanish rule lasted three full centuries under the name "New Spain," a period marked by deep cultural fusion between indigenous heritage and Spanish culture, a blend that shaped modern Mexican identity.
Independence and revolution: founding the modern state
The War of Independence began in 1810, led by the priest Miguel Hidalgo, and lasted eleven years until independence was formally achieved in 1821. Decades later, Mexico lost more than half its territory to the United States in the 1846-1848 war, land that now includes Texas, California, and New Mexico.
The defining event of the 20th century was the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), which completely reshaped the political and social order and led to the 1917 Constitution, still in force today after numerous amendments.
Frequently asked questions about Mexico's history
When did Mexico gain independence from Spain?
Mexico formally gained independence in 1821, following an eleven-year War of Independence that began in 1810.
Who conquered the Aztec Empire?
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521, aided by alliances with indigenous peoples who opposed Aztec rule.
How many ancient civilizations existed in Mexico before colonization?
The major civilizations were the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec, alongside smaller cultures such as the Zapotec and Totonac.
