Mexico: Post World War II

Jill Popek and Chelsea Peak

http://mexico.vg/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/mexico-map-of-mexico.gif

The Basics

• Population: 100+ million– 60% Mestizo

(European + Indian)– 30% Amerindians

(Indians in W. Hemisphere)

– 9% White– <1% other

• Spanish is official language– English is

increasingly more evident

• 89% Roman Catholic• Federal government

– Three Branches (Executive, Legislative, Judicial)• Legislature is similar to U.S.

– Two major parties:• Partido Revolucionario Nacional (PRI)• Partido Accion Nacional (PAN)

• Economy driven by oil, cars, electronics, coffee, cotton, fresh food, and tourism

• Americanization of cultural life– “Bigger is better” philosophy– NFL, NBA, NCAA is broadcasted

Mexico in WWII

• Allies• Provided 40% of raw materials to U.S.

war industry– US aids their financial crisis

• June 1942: Mexico declares war on Axis• Some Mexicans went to the U.S. to fight

in their armed forces• In return, U.S. helps the Mexican

government remain neutral and not go the ways of Fascism and Communism

Member of 201 Escuadron

Fought against Japan in Phillipines

NAFTA

• Between U.S., Canada, Mexico• Mexico now has to openly compete

with world’s most powerful economy, U.S.

• Mexico’s main concern is agriculture• Reduced worth of Mexican peso

Signed Jan. 1, 1994

The Zapatista Revolt

• January 1, 1994: Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) seizes power in three cities in Chiapas

• Called for social justice, a democratic government

• Wanted President Salinas to resign• EZLN refused amnesty, is removed

from power

• Video clip: Zapatista Revolution– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUpcu

M95t5M&feature=fvw

• What social class are the Zapatistas from?

• Are they for or against the government?

• What is their overall goal?– Why do they wear black masks?

Corruption of the PRI

• Most successful political party in the world

• Presidential successors were often picked by the current president

• During elections, ballots were stuffed and candidates assassinated

• Held power for 71 years• Public suspicion

Election of Vicente Fox Quesada

• First to be elected from opposition party in 71 years

• Big change for Mexico

Felipe Calderon

Mexico’s current President, 2006-2012

Steps Towards Democracy

• Mexican citizens do not trust their government/elections

• Lawmakers/officials can be reelected• Presidential candidates must secure

at least 50% of votes• Independents may run for President

Current Social Problems

• Organized crime• Drug-related violence• Public security

– Police not only guard major institutions, but also shops

• Poverty• Unemployment• Women still have a “lower” place in

society

NAFTA’s Effect

• GDP of Mexico rises, but not as substantially as U.S. and Canada

• Increased trade between Mexico and U.S.– Lowering of prices for Mexicans by ½

• High rate of unemployment• Economy isn’t improving as expected• Still cannot compete with U.S. agriculture• “A disappointment”

Overview• Part of Allies during WWII• Mostly indigenous population• PRI was main source of power• NAFTA agreement leads to Zapatista revolt• Two opposition candidates elected

– Democratic reforms

• NAFTA still has lasting effect on current economy

• Current social issues include crime and women’s rights

Sources• Lenchek, Shep. “Mexico- Forgotten WWII Ally.”

MexConnect. 1 January 2001. 5 January 2010 < http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/678-mexico-forgotten-world-war-ii-ally >

• Minster, Christopher. “The Unsung Ally: Mexican Involvement in World War II.” About.com. 5 January 2010. < http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/thehistoryofmexico/a/09mexicoww2.htm >

• Kirkwood, Burton. The History of Mexico. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2000.

• Greste, Peter. “End of Era for all-powerful party.” BBC. 2 July 2000. 9 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/815359.stm.

• http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-mexico-reform16-2009dec16,0,2360570.story

• http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Mexico.html

Photo Credits• Mexican citizens

http://www.mssu.edu/international/ilrc/resources/mexico/images/people1.JPG

• Miguel Aleman Valdez http://www.joseacontreras.net/mexico/images/historia/gobernantes/Miguel_Aleman_Valdez_1900-1983.jpg

• 201 Escuadron: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/scitech/impacto/graphic/aviation/graphic_wwii201.htmlhttp://me1629.tripod.com/Pilotos_E201.jpg• Signing of Nafta

http://www.fina-nafi.org/contenu/partages/chronlogie/alena2.jpg• Emiliano Zapata http://latinolikeme.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/zapata0.jpg• Sub-Comandante Marcos

http://media.lavozdegalicia.es/default/2008/04/28/00121209392528462284917/Foto/E24Y9153.jpg

• Che Guevara http://bellum.stanfordreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/che-guevara-lg.jpg

• Vicente Fox Quesada http://top-people.starmedia.com/tmp/swotti/cacheDMLJZW50ZSBMB3G=UGVVCGXLLVBLB3BSZQ==/imgvicente%20fox2.jpg

• http://images.salon.com/news/feature/2000/12/02/fox/story.jpg