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History
In 1519 the Spaniards conquered Mexico.
This led to the formation of a new state called New
Spain and later into a new hybrid culture.
Several military expeditions were led to extend ‘New Spain’.
The whole of Central America, West Indies, Philippines,
and parts of the current Texas and California were later
conquered to become part of New Spain. The Spanish political
control over Mexico lasted for three centuries.
The entire region was formed into a viceroyalty in 1535.
The colony was divided into provinces ruled by governors.
This system was pretty inefficient as it took several years for directives from the king to be implemented at the lower levels.
The prosperity of New Spain began to decline in the 17th century.
Disease and natural disasters destroyed most of the Indian population.
Most others migrated slowly to remote parts. Mines were abandoned and
large areas of farmland were destroyed. The economy of New Spain collapsed.
In 1810, a catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo called upon Mexicans to rise
up and fight the Spanish. Although father Hidalgo was killed, another priest
Jose Morelos continued to lead the fighting. New Spain finally won its
independence from Spain in 1810 and came to be called Mexico.
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Learn Spanish in Guanajuato.
