**Viceroyalties, Independence, and Revolutionary Movements in Mexico: Perspectives from Martha Ortega Cantabrana** This title summarizes the content effectively and captures the essence of the original title while highlighting key themes and the speaker’

Orihuela’s Public Library Hosts Conference on Indigenous Women and Reading Club Session

Orihuela,Spain – The state Public Library and Historical Archive ‘Fernando de Loazes’ in Orihuela is hosting a series of cultural activities throughout September for all ages.

On Thursday, September 25th, at 8:00 PM, the library will host a conference titled ‘The Passage of the Indigenous Woman: Viceregal, Independent and Revolutionary‘.The speaker will be Martha Ortega Cantabrana, recently named chronicler of Texcoco and a graduate of History from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. This conference is part of a broader series titled ‘Presence of Women in the History of Mexico‘.

For book lovers, the Reading Club ‘Fernando de Loazes’ will meet on Friday, September 26th at 6:30 PM in the Codex library to discuss Mario Vargas Llosa’s novel ‘The City and the Dogs‘.

More information regarding these and other library activities can be found on the library’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BpeOrihuela or on the library’s website https://www.bibliotecaspublicas.es/orihuela/.

For inquiries, contact the Public Library and Historical Archive at [email protected].

How did the colonial viceroyalty system in New Spain establish social adn economic structures that later contributed to revolutionary movements?

Viceroyalties, Independence, and Revolutionary Movements in Mexico: Perspectives from Martha Ortega Cantabrana

The Colonial Foundation: Viceroyalties in New Spain

The history of Mexico is deeply intertwined with its colonial past, specifically the period of Spanish viceroyalty.from 1521, following the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, Mexico – then known as New Spain – was governed by viceroys appointed by the Spanish Crown. Martha Ortega Cantabrana’s work consistently emphasizes the profound impact these viceroyalties had on shaping Mexican society, politics, and economy.

* The First Viceroyalty (1535-1579): Antonio de Mendoza was the first Viceroy, tasked with establishing Spanish administration and consolidating control. This period saw the initial exploitation of resources like silver and the beginnings of a rigid social hierarchy.

* Social Stratification: The casta system, a complex racial and social hierarchy, was a defining feature of the viceroyalties. Ortega Cantabrana highlights how this system created deep inequalities and fueled resentment among indigenous populations and those of mixed ancestry. Key groups included peninsulares (spanish-born officials), criollos (Mexican-born Spaniards), mestizos (mixed Spanish and Indigenous), and Indigenous peoples.

* Economic Exploitation: The silver mines of Zacatecas and Potosí (though largely in modern-day Bolivia, heavily impacted New Spain) were central to the Spanish economy. This extraction of wealth, while benefiting Spain, often came at the expense of the Mexican population through forced labor systems like the encomienda and repartimiento.

Seeds of Discontent: The Path to Independence

By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, simmering discontent with Spanish rule began to boil over. Several factors contributed to the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821). Ortega Cantabrana’s research underscores the importance of understanding these interconnected causes.

* Criollo Grievances: Criollos, despite being of Spanish descent, were often excluded from high-ranking political positions, reserved for peninsulares. This fueled a sense of injustice and a desire for greater autonomy.

* Enlightenment Ideas: The spread of Enlightenment philosophies emphasizing liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty influenced educated criollos and provided intellectual justification for independence.

* Napoleonic Invasion of Spain (1808): The abdication of the Spanish King Ferdinand VII by Napoleon created a power vacuum in Spain and its colonies, providing an chance for independence movements to gain momentum.

* Miguel Hidalgo’s Cry of Dolores (1810): This event, considered the start of the mexican War of Independence, was a pivotal moment. Ortega Cantabrana analyzes Hidalgo’s motivations and the broad appeal of his call for social justice and independence, especially among Indigenous and mestizo populations.

* José María Morelos y Pavón: Following Hidalgo’s execution,Morelos took up the mantle of leadership,advocating for a more radical vision of independence,including land redistribution and the abolition of slavery.His military campaigns and political writings were crucial in shaping the independence movement.

The 19th and 20th Centuries: Revolutionary Cycles

Mexico’s independence in 1821 did not usher in an era of stability. The 19th century was marked by political instability, foreign interventions (like the French intervention in the 1860s), and economic challenges. This turbulent period laid the groundwork for the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920. Ortega Cantabrana’s analysis emphasizes the continuity of social and economic inequalities as a driving force behind these revolutionary cycles.

* Porfiriato (1876-1911): The long rule of Porfirio Díaz brought economic modernization but at the cost of political repression and the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a small elite. This created widespread discontent among peasants and workers.

* Francisco I. Madero’s Challenge (1910): Madero’s call for free and fair elections challenged Díaz’s authoritarian rule and sparked the initial phase of the revolution.

* Key Revolutionary Leaders: The revolution was a complex and multifaceted conflict involving numerous factions and leaders:

* Emiliano Zapata: championed agrarian reform and the rights of Indigenous communities in the south.His slogan, Tierra y Libertad (Land and Liberty), resonated deeply with rural populations.

* Pancho villa: Led a powerful revolutionary army in the north, advocating for social justice and challenging the central government.

* Venustiano Carranza: A more moderate revolutionary leader who eventually became president and oversaw the drafting of the 1917 Constitution.

* The 1917 Constitution: this landmark document enshrined key social and economic rights, including land reform, labor rights,