The
Vice-Royalty of New Spain, created back in 1535, was the name
for the Spanish colony of Mexico, which at this time also included
California, New Mexico and Texas. Two failed uprisings against
Spanish rule were led by priests, the first in 1810 under Hidalgo
y Costillo and the second in 1815 under Morelos. But in 1821,
Colonel Augustin de Ituribe succeeded in making Mexico independent.
He declared himself emperor, but was in turn deposed by General
Santa Anna (born 1797, died 1876) and later executed.
In 1823, Mexico was made into a republic, but the southern part
of the territory split off to form the United Provinces of Central
America. Mexico remained divided into two factions, "federalists"
and "centralists". In spite of the split, Santa Anna
defeated a Spanish army of invasion in 1829. Four years later,
1833, the general overthrew the republican government and had
himself made dictator.
In 1835, war broke out with the Americans over Texas. Thousands
of English-speaking settlers had moved into Texas, finally outnumbering
the resident Mexicans, and they led a move for independence
from Santa Anna. Santa Anna's army defeats the Texans at the
Alamo, but then loses the battle of San Jacinto. Texas became
an independent republic, but in 1845, asked to join the United
States. This led to a second war. In the opening campaign, the
Mexican army was defeated at Buena Vista in 1847. Santa Anna,
who had been exiled, came back to power, but was also defeated
and the American army occupied Mexico City. Peace was made in
1848, which saw Mexico lose all of its territory north of the
Rio Grande, including what would become the states of California,
Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Sant Anna was deposed for good
in 1855.
The British Empire declared slavery illegal in 1833. Most former
slaves in the Caribbean became day labourers, but more workers
were still needed. The British began to bring in what were called
"indentured labourers", most from India and some from
Malaysia and China. A new cultural element was added to the
ethnic mix in the Caribbean. The East Indian influence today
is most seen in Trinidad.
25
years ago / 50 years ago
/ 80 years ago / 125
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/ 1,200 years ago
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years ago / 4,000 years
ago / 10,000 years ago
