Threats To Mexico Research Paper

Mexico, a country filled with diversity and culture, has endured many political changes and threats throughout the course of history. Prosperity, independence, and democracy were prevalent during specific time periods in Mexico. However, Mexico faced a series of conflicts, economic distress, and inequality that led to political instability for many years. Ultimately, Mexico overcame these challenges to have a secure and stable government, but new threats to civil society have emerged.

Preceding the 20th century, Mexico consisted of several pre-Columbian civilizations that existed for nearly 2700 years. The ancient civilizations inhabited Mesoamerica and relied on systems of theocracy and bartering. In 1427, the Aztecs rose to power, conquering

Itúrbide’s autocratic rule of Mexico displeased many individuals, which led to his deposition by Antonio López de Santa Anna. Santa Anna drafted Mexico’s new constitution, the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824, which declared Mexico as a federal republic with 19 states and four territories. Santa Anna served as a conservative president of Mexico from 1823 to 1836. However, his presidency was defined by the key loss of Mexican territories to the United States (US) during the Mexican-American War in 1848, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Following Santa Anna’s exile, Benito Juárez became president in 1858 and set forth multiple reforms to liberalize the government. During this time, Mexico’s copious amounts of international debt caused France to conquer the country. France instilled the Maximilian of Austria as emperor of Mexico in 1861, who was overthrown by Juárez in 1867. Juárez’s presidency consisted of multiple educational and social reforms, and was succeeded by Porfirio Díaz in 1876. Although Díaz drove Mexico into the Industrial Age and improved infrastructure, the government was seen as an illiberal democracy. Díaz eliminated elections and free press, while workers suffered and lacked any wealth. This sparked the Mexican Revolution in 1910, which resulted in severe political instability and conflict within

The Constitution was the initial factor that contributed towards democratization and the Mexicanization of Mexican society. However, the reformists in power were unable to fully uphold the mandates in the Constitution. Although land distribution improved, farm workers continued to suffer as a result of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA improved trade relations with Mexico, the US, and Canada, but also permitted cheaper imports to North America, which financially hurt traditional farm workers. The Constitution was not fully incorporated into Mexican society until the formation of the National Revolutionary Party (PRI), presently known as the Institutional Revolutionary Party. The PRI solely dominated Mexico’s government, creating a one-party rule until 2000. Mexico underwent many liberal reforms by the PRI, providing more representation for peasants and urban workers. The PRI was able to remain dominant because the opposing party, the National Action Party (PAN), was highly unpopular due to their support for Catholicism and large