Nutshell Report: MEXICO

MEXICO

“Poor Mexico! So far from God, and so close to the United States!” (MLA 45)

-Porfirio Díaz

Political Climate

Colonialismà Nationhood/DictatorshipàMexican RevolutionàDemocracy

History

·      1519 began the Spanish reign over indigenous people of Mesoamerica.

·      Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1810.

·      Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed in 1848 as a result of the Mexican American War.

·      El Porfiriato (1876-1911) Porfirio Díaz was in the Mexican presidency for 35 years.

·      Mexican Revolution 1910: Precipitated by the oppressed.

·      Rebels like Emilio Zapata from Southern Mexico and Pancho Villa from Northern Mexico were household names during the revolution.

·      1930’s President Cardenas creates stronger ties with US for foreign oil, PEMEX was created as a state oil monopoly.

·      1973 Inflation was out of control, causing Mexico immense economic hardship and struggles with foreign affairs and investors.

·      1980 Mexico discovers vast quantities of oil: 70-200 billion barrels.

North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA)

·      Implemented in 1992, an agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States that would promote the free flow of goods, eliminating tariffs and trade barriers.

·      Hopes of NAFTA were to attract investment, stimulate employment and provide economic growth.  

·      “Mexico believed that NAFTA would to provide economic leverage with the rest of Latin America serving as a “bridge” between the developing worlds and the develop world as a representative and interlocutor for aspiring peoples of the south.” (MLA 75)

“Like it or not, the destiny of Mexico has been unavoidably intertwined with the United States.” (45)

Environment

·      Border of 2,000 miles with the United States

·      Abundance of Oil

·      Lots of agricultural lands

·      According to the Secretary of Environment, Mexico is known as one of the 18 mega diverse countries in the world

·      Dry climate in the North & Tropical lowlands in the South

Environmental Struggles

·      Hazardous waste disposal

·      Many natural and freshwater resources are scarce and polluted in North

·      Poor air quality in large cities e.g., Mexico City, Guadalajara, Juarez

·      Second fastest deforestation rate after Brazil (BBC News, 2011)