1821

"The War for Independence"

The Spanish Empire is in decline, and the Mexicans win their independence in 1821. The treaty for independence is signed in the Mexican city of Queretaro, in a square which is known today as the "Plaza de Independencia".

1823

"Chiapas makes its choice"

The entire Central American region, from Guatemala to Costa Rica, collectively declares its independence from Spain in 1821 and later from Mexico in 1823. Chiapas, rather than becoming part of the "Kingdom of Guatemala" which spans the entire Central American region, decides to unite with Mexico as one sovereign state.

1870's

"Benito's battle"

Benito Juarez leads Mexico to independence from yet another foreign power, this time the Austrian Empire. Juarez's liberal government establishes an unprecedented duration of rule in the instability of Mexican politics, and helps lead to the rise of liberal governments throughout Central America. Juarez becomes one of Mexico's most cherished historical heroes.

1910-1917

"The Mexican Revolution"

The Mexican proletariat revolts against the Mexican government under the leadership of Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa. During this class struggle, Zapata leads landless peasant farmers in Mexico's southern regions, while Villa heads a militia of factory workers in the north. The revolution succeeds in creating a new Mexican constitution, in which the government assumes ownership of all privately-owned lands and guarantees that all landless farmers have the right to petition the Mexican government to be granted territory.