HISTORY 121 Lecture 4: 9-26 Searching for Stability in Mexico
Document Summary
Produced the majority of spain"s colonial wealth. New, national elites stunned that they could not profit from independence and the expanding world economy. With economy in decline, politics remained unstable. Caciques (middle men between indigenous and creole populations) and caudillos. May 1833-august 1855: 36 changes in mexican presidency under pronunciamientos. Sometimes no one in office between ousting and and retaking of presidency. 9th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 25th, and 32nd president of mexico. Each new gov"t stressed economic interests of leader. Often from different regions, with different goods. Political instability fostered economic instability, which fostered more political instability. Elite fear of popular classes deepened political and economic unrest. Destruction during independence process and example of haiti frightened elites. Many mexican elites quite conservative in their views. Break up indigenous communities: for land, for slaves/labor. Attack power of catholic church for land & money. Needed indigenous communities and church *to maintain social order*
