A Brief History of Mexico

A compelling exploration of Mexican history.

From the rise of the first civilizations of North America and continuing through the cataclysm of the Spanish conquest and the explosive revolution of Zapata and Pancho Villa to the intensely contested presidential election of 2006, Mexico has had a vibrant and dynamic history.

A Brief History of Mexico, Updated Edition gives expansive coverage to Mexico's pre-Columbian civilizations as well as contemporary indigenous cultures. This book also brings readers up to date on recent developments in Mexico and helps them understand the deeper significance of these headline-making events, including the 2006 presidential election that resulted in victory for the National Action Party's Felipe Calderón, a weakened Institutional Revolutionary Party, and the Democratic Revolutionary Party candidate's threatening a government in opposition.

Coverage includes:

• The challenge of revitalizing Mexico's people and resources in this new period of multiparty democracy
• Indigenous peoples, the environment, and culture
• The North American Free Trade Agreement and the increasing participation of Mexican Americans in Mexican politics and culture
• The testing of the new democratic institutions by the close results of the 2006 presidential election and months of protest claiming electoral fraud.