History of Mexico: 500 BCE to 1865 CE

Mesoamerican Civilizations (Pre-Classic to Classic)

• 1500–1000 BCE: Olmecs (Gulf Coast) – "mother culture."
• 300 BCE–200 CE: Teotihuacan peaks (largest city in Americas).
• 250–900 CE: Maya Classic Period (Yucatán, Petén) – writing, calendar, pyramids.
• 600–900 CE: Zapotecs (Monte Albán, Oaxaca).
• 750–1000 CE: Toltecs (Tula) – militaristic, influence Aztecs.

Spanish Conquest & New Spain

• 1519: Cortés lands.
• 1521: Tenochtitlan falls; New Spain established.
• 1535: Viceroyalty created.
• 1697: San Antonio founded (Texas).
• 1767: Jesuits expelled.

Independence & Early Republic

• 1810–1821: War of Independence (Hidalgo, Morelos, Iturbide).
• 1821: Independence recognized.
• 1824: Federal Republic constitution.
• 1836: Texas secedes.
• 1846–48: Mexican–American War; loses 55% territory.
• 1854: Gadsden Purchase.
• 1857: Liberal Constitution (La Reforma).
• 1861–67: French Intervention; Maximilian emperor (1864–67).

1865: Maximilian's regime collapsing; Juárez restoring republic.