History of Mexico

Before the Spanish Mexico was occupied by a large number of Indian groups with very different social and economic systems. In general the tribes in the north were relatively small groups of hunters and gatherers who roamed large areas of sparsely vegetated deserts and dry lands. These people are often called the Chichimecs, though they were a mixture of several cultural groups who spoke different languages. In the rest of the country the natives were …

…Iguala, which provided for Mexico's independence under a monarchy government called the Mexican Empire. Iturbide was crowned emperor of Mexico in July 1822, and the newly formed empire lasted less than a year. Iturbide was exiled from the country but returned and was executed. General Antonio Lopez from Santa Anna then came out as the strongest government leader for about 30 years. Santa Anna was president of Mexico when Texas revolted and during the Mexican-American War of 1846.