Mexico's Long Road to Democracy After Independence

Mexico did not become a democracy immediately after independence (1821). Instead, it endured a century of instability:

• First Mexican Empire (1821–23) under Agustín de Iturbide.
• Early Republic (1824) plagued by coups, civil wars, and foreign interventions (Texas Revolution, Mexican–American War, French Intervention).
• Porfiriato (1876–1911): Authoritarian modernization under Porfirio Díaz.
• Mexican Revolution (1910–1920): Violent upheaval leading to 1917 Constitution.
• One-party dominance (PRI, 1929–2000): Managed elections, limited opposition.
• True democratic transition: 1990s–2000, culminating in Vicente Fox's 2000 victory ending PRI's 71-year rule.

Stable multiparty democracy emerged only in the late 20th century.