A concise history of Mexico
/ Brian Hamnett
- New York : Cambridge University Press , 1999
- 336 p. : illus. ; 22 cm
Mexico in perspective: Nationalism and territory -- Living with the USA -- Border -- Drug trafficking -- Indigenous Mexico -- Pre-Columbian era: Olmecs -- Monte Alban and the Zapotec cultures of Oaxaca -- Mayas -- Teotihuacan -- North -- Time of troubles, 750-950 -- Toltecs -- Post-Classic Maya -- Zapotecs and Mixtecs of the Post-Classic era -- Central Mexico -- Aztecs -- European incursion, (1519-1620): Impact of the fall of Tenochtitlan -- Imposition of Christianity -- Hispanic land ecquisition -- New Spain, 1620-1770: Spanish colonialism and American society: Spain and the empire: Merchants, financiers, and markets -- Indian communities -- New Spain's Baroque culture-- Cult of the Virgin -- Exposed north and far north -- Political processes -- Destabilisation and fragmentation, 1770-1867: Climax and collapse of New Spain, 1770-1821 -- Failures and successes of a newly sovereign state, 1821-1867 -- Reconstruction: Liberal republic: Constitutionalism or personal rule, 1867-1911? -- Revolutionary system: State power or democratisation, 1911-1940? -- Monopoly party, 1940-2000: 'Mexican miracle' and political control, 1940-1970 -- Economic crises and political division, 1970-2000 -- Final comments.
Mexico's fascinating complexities are difficult to approach. This illustrated Concise History begins with a brief examination of contemporary issues, while the book as a whole - ranging from the Olmecs to the present day - combines a chronological and thematic approach while highlighting long-term issues and controversies over interpretation.