Mexico City, often referred to as Mexico Df, is a sprawling metropolis with a history as rich and layered as its vibrant culture. From its ancient origins as the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán to its modern-day status as a global hub, Mexico DF has witnessed centuries of transformation, resilience, and cultural fusion. This article delves into the fascinating history of Mexico DF, tracing its evolution through different eras and highlighting key events that have shaped this remarkable city.
Early Beginnings: From Indigenous Roots to Aztec Power
The valley where Mexico City stands today has been inhabited since ancient times, with various indigenous groups settling here between 100 and 900 A.D. These early inhabitants shared connections with the Toltecs, a civilization that established its influential capital, Tula, around 850 A.D. in what is now Hidalgo state. As the Toltec empire waned, other cultures like the Acolhua, Chichimeca, and Tepenaca rose to prominence in the region.
Image alt text: Ancient ruins of Templo Mayor, the main Aztec temple, in modern Mexico City, Mexico DF.
A pivotal moment in the history of Mexico DF was the founding of Tenochtitlán in 1325 A.D. by the Mexica people. This marked the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, guiding them to build their great city where they witnessed an eagle devouring a snake while perched on a cactus – a powerful symbol in Mexican culture still visible today. This vision appeared on an island in Lake Texcoco, and there, the Mexicas, who later became known as the Aztecs, began to construct their capital.
Did you know? Mexico City’s origins are deeply intertwined with water. The Aztecs ingeniously built Tenochtitlán on an artificial island in Lake Texcoco, expanding it by manually depositing soil into the lagoon. Centuries later, the Spanish colonizers erected their Mexico City directly on top of the Aztec ruins, a testament to the city’s continuous inhabitation and reinvention.
The Aztecs were not only skilled builders but also formidable warriors. They expanded their influence and dominion over surrounding tribes, transforming Tenochtitlán from a modest island settlement into the heart of the largest and most powerful civilization in pre-Columbian America. Their city became a magnificent urban center, reflecting their sophisticated society and military might.
Middle History: Conquest, Colonial Rule, and the Rise of Mestizos
By the 15th and early 16th centuries, the Aztecs reigned supreme in Mesoamerica. However, their dominance also bred resentment among subjugated tribes. When Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in 1519 with intentions of conquest, many indigenous chieftains saw an opportunity to break free from Aztec rule and allied with him.
Upon Cortés’s arrival, the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II, influenced by prophecies and possibly misinterpreting the Spaniards’ arrival, believed Cortés might be connected to the god Quetzalcoatl, whose return was foretold. Moctezuma attempted to appease the Spanish with gifts, hoping they would leave. However, Cortés, undeterred, marched his army to Tenochtitlán. In a gesture of diplomacy or perhaps apprehension, Moctezuma welcomed Cortés and his men into the city, offering them hospitality.
Image alt text: Depiction of the meeting between Hernán Cortés and Moctezuma II in Tenochtitlán, present-day Mexico DF.
This initial cordiality was short-lived. After several weeks, Cortés betrayed Moctezuma’s trust, placing him under house arrest to exert control over the Aztecs. Moctezuma, attempting to maintain peace, complied with the Spanish demands, but in doing so, lost the respect of his people. In 1521, after fierce battles and with the aid of his indigenous allies, Cortés and his forces conquered Tenochtitlán, marking the fall of the Aztec empire. The Spanish then began constructing Mexico City atop the ruins of the once-grand Aztec capital, symbolically and literally laying a new city upon the old.
During the colonial period (1535-1821), Mexico City became one of the most important urban centers in the Americas, serving as the capital of New Spain. While Spanish influence dominated, the interaction between colonizers and indigenous populations led to significant social changes. Despite restrictions requiring work permits for native Indians to enter the Spanish-dominated city, interaction was inevitable. This intermingling led to the emergence of the Mestizo class – people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry – who would eventually become a powerful social and political force in Mexico.
The 16th and 17th centuries in Mexico City were characterized by a rigid caste system. Society was stratified based on ethnicity, with complex divisions including Mestizos, Criollos (Spaniards born in the Americas), and Coyotes (mixed Mestizo and indigenous heritage), among others. The Catholic Church exerted immense influence, establishing convents and missions throughout Mexico City and playing a significant role in colonial life.
Political power during this era remained firmly in the hands of Spaniards born in Spain. However, by the 18th century, the Criollo class grew in number and influence. Criollos, while of Spanish descent, faced discrimination and limited opportunities compared to those born in Spain. This growing disparity, coupled with political corruption, fueled resentment and contributed to the burgeoning independence movement.
The spark that ignited the Mexican War of Independence was lit by a Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. In 1810, in Dolores, Hidalgo, he delivered his famous “Cry of Dolores,” a public call to rebellion. Hidalgo had been involved in meetings with educated Criollos who advocated for a large-scale uprising involving Mestizos and indigenous peasants. As discontent with Spanish rule spread, and rumors of Spanish military crackdowns circulated, Hidalgo decided to take action. On September 16, 1810, parishioners gathered for Sunday mass were instead met with a call to arms, marking the beginning of the fight for Mexican independence.
Inspired by Hidalgo’s call, revolutionary armies emerged, led by figures like Guadalupe Victoria and Vicente Guerrero. The War of Independence raged for 11 years. Finally, in 1821, the last Viceroy of New Spain, Juan O’Donoju, signed the Plan of Iguala, officially granting Mexico its independence.
Recent History: From Distrito Federal to Modern Metropolis
In 1824, following independence, Mexico’s Distrito Federal (Federal District), also known as Mexico D.F., was created. Initially, it encompassed Mexico City and several surrounding municipalities. As Mexico City grew, it gradually absorbed these municipalities, becoming one vast urban expanse. In 1928, all municipalities within the Distrito Federal, except Mexico City itself, were abolished, effectively making Mexico City the Distrito Federal by default. This was formally recognized in 1993 when Article 44 of the Mexican Constitution officially declared Mexico City and the Distrito Federal to be a single entity.
Mexico City’s path to modernity was not without conflict. In 1846, after a period of relative peace, the city was invaded by the United States during the Mexican-American War. The war concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, forcing Mexico to cede a vast territory to the United States. This territory now comprises the U.S. states of New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, California, and parts of Utah and Wyoming. Mexico was also compelled to recognize the independence of Texas.
Image alt text: Statue of Benito Juárez in Mexico City’s historic center, a significant figure in Mexico DF history.
In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez, facing economic hardship, suspended interest payments to Spain, France, and Britain. In response, these European powers launched a joint assault on Veracruz in 1862. While Britain and Spain eventually withdrew, France, under Napoleon III, seized the opportunity to expand its influence. French forces took control of the country, and with the support of Mexican conservatives, Maximiliano de Hamburgo was installed as ruler of Mexico in 1864. Despite his initially liberal policies, Maximiliano failed to gain widespread Mexican support. In 1867, with Benito Juárez’s liberal government regaining power, Maximiliano was assassinated, marking the end of French intervention.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw Mexico under the rule of Porfirio Díaz. In 1876, Díaz seized the presidency, initially serving one term before manipulating the political system to remain in power for over three decades. His rule, while bringing some modernization and economic development, was characterized by authoritarianism, corruption, and suppression of political opposition. Díaz amended the constitution to allow for consecutive presidential terms and unlimited re-elections, maintaining his grip on power through violence, electoral fraud, and repression.
By 1910, public discontent with Díaz’s regime reached a boiling point. On November 20, 1910, Francisco Madero issued the Plan de San Luis Potosí, declaring Díaz’s government illegitimate and initiating the Mexican Revolution. Forces led by revolutionary leaders like Francisco Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Venustiano Carranza rallied behind Madero. In 1911, facing widespread revolt, Díaz reluctantly resigned. The subsequent decade was marked by political instability and power struggles, eventually leading to the establishment of the Partido Nacional Revolucionario (PNR), later renamed the PRI. The PRI ushered in a period of relative political stability for Mexico City and the rest of Mexico that lasted until 2000.
Mexico City Today: A Modern Megacity
Today, Mexico City stands as the undisputed political, economic, and social heart of Mexico and the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere. Its economic output is significant, boasting the highest nominal gross domestic product per capita of any city in Latin America at $17,696. However, this wealth is not evenly distributed, with a considerable portion – around 15 percent – of the city’s population living in poverty, highlighting the ongoing challenges of economic inequality.
Labor unions in Mexico City, particularly those representing taxi drivers, telephone workers, and electrical workers, wield significant power. Historically, many of these unions were aligned with the PRI political party. However, in recent years, some unions have begun shifting their allegiance towards the Partido de la Revolución Democrática (Party of the Democratic Revolution), which has governed the city since 1997, indicating a changing political landscape.
Mexico City is a city of diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own unique character. Among the most well-known are Coyoacán, a bohemian district famed for the Frida Kahlo Museum; Santa Fe, an upscale area with modern skyscrapers and the Bosques de las Lomas residential zone; Xochimilco, with its traditional canals reminiscent of Venice; and Polanco, an elegant and affluent neighborhood.
Highlights of Mexico DF: Must-See Attractions
Historic District: The Zócalo, or Plaza de la Constitución, is the heart of Mexico City’s Historic District and one of the largest city squares in the world. Dominating the square is the Catedral Metropolitana, one of the largest and oldest cathedrals in the Western Hemisphere. Built in the Spanish Baroque style, it showcases impressive neoclassical towers and houses 18 bells.
Image alt text: The majestic Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral rising above the Zocalo in the historic center of Mexico DF.
Adjacent to the Zócalo lies the Templo Mayor, the unearthed ruins of the main temple of Aztec Tenochtitlán. Although largely destroyed by Hernán Cortés during the conquest, significant portions of this ancient pyramid have been excavated and restored, offering visitors a glimpse into the city’s pre-colonial past.
Chapultepec Castle: Perched atop Chapultepec Hill in the expansive Chapultepec Park, Castillo de Chapultepec offers panoramic views of Mexico City. Throughout its history, the castle has served as a military academy, imperial residence, presidential home, observatory, and museum. Notably, it is the only castle in North America to have been occupied by sovereigns and currently houses the Mexican National Museum of History.
Xochimilco: Often called “Mexico’s Little Venice,” Xochimilco is famous for its network of canals, remnants of the ancient Lake Xochimilco. Tourists and locals alike enjoy riding colorful trajineras – traditional boats adorned with flowers – through these canals, a tradition popularized by the 1940 film Maria Candelaria.
Museums & Art: Mexico City boasts an impressive array of museums. The National Museum of Anthropology, located in Chapultepec Park, is a must-visit, housing significant anthropological artifacts from across Mexico, including the iconic Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar) and the 16th-century Aztec statue of Xochipilli. For pre-Columbian art enthusiasts, the Museo Rufino Tamayo, housed in a 17th-century building, features a remarkable collection donated by Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo.
Fun Facts about Mexico DF
- Mexico City’s coat of arms symbolizes its heritage, featuring a castle representing nobility flanked by lions symbolizing the Spanish empire. The lions stand on bridges over a lagoon, alluding to the city’s island origins. Cactus leaves surrounding the seal represent the cactus fields that once surrounded Mexico City.
- In 2005, Greater Mexico City was the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest globally, with a population of 19.2 million.
- Reflecting its watery origins, Mexico City (formerly Tenochtitlán) was built on Lake Texcoco. The ground beneath Mexico City remains soft and compressible, causing the Metropolitan Cathedral to sink approximately 15-20 inches per year.
- Mexico City’s Metro system, Sistema de Transporte Colectivo Metro, opened in 1969 and is a vital part of the city’s transportation network. A suburban rail system is also under development.
- The “Hoy No Circula” program, or “One Day Without a Car,” is a vehicle emissions control program restricting vehicle use based on license plate numbers to combat pollution and traffic congestion. However, some residents circumvent the law by owning multiple vehicles. Newer, less polluting cars are exempt.
- The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), established in 1551, is located in Mexico City. UNAM is one of Mexico’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public universities.
- The Zócalo in Mexico City is the largest main square in Latin America, spanning over 13 acres. The Mexican flag flies prominently at its center, surrounded by the Cathedral, National Palace, city government offices, and commercial buildings.
- Xochimilco, known as “Little Venice,” offers boat tours through canals and floating gardens called chinampas, a unique agricultural system dating back to Aztec times.
Mexico DF is a city that seamlessly blends its ancient past with a dynamic present. Exploring its history is essential to understanding the soul of this captivating metropolis.
