---
title: "History of Mexico"
description: "Explore Mexico's fascinating past through a deep, critical and well-documented look. In this category you will find articles that cover the different stages of Mexican history, from the great..."
url: https://www.xikoova.com/en/history-of-mexico/
type: term
taxonomy: category
taxonomy_label: "Category"
count: 123
lang: en
---

# History of Mexico

Explore Mexico’s fascinating past through a deep, critical and well-documented look. In this category you will find articles that cover the different stages of Mexican history, from the great Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Mexica, Maya and Zapotec, to the viceroyalty of New Spain, the processes of independence, the wars of the 19th century and the social movements of the 20th century.Our approach seeks to go beyond the official narratives, highlighting the indigenous voices, social tensions and cultural changes that have shaped the country’s identity. Each publication is based on historical sources, recent research and visual elements that facilitate understanding and dialogue with the present.Ideal for students, researchers, teachers, cultural tourists or anyone interested in learning about the complexity and richness of Mexican history.

## Latest entries

- [Indigenous livestock farming in the Viceroyalty of New Spain: wealth and social cohesion in the Mixteca region](https://www.xikoova.com/en/indigenous-livestock-farming-in-the-viceroyalty-of-new-spain-wealth-and-social-cohesion-in-the-mixteca-region/) — In the 16th century, the Mixteca region stood out for its indigenous livestock wealth, which even surpassed that of Spanish landowners. This article analyzes how small livestock strengthened social cohesion and limited the expansion of large estates in the Viceroyalty of New Spain.
- [Indigenous councils and the “order of the republic”: political reorganization and control in the 16th century](https://www.xikoova.com/en/indigenous-councils-and-the-order-of-the-republic-political-reorganization-and-control-in-the-16th-century/) — Los cabildos indígenas fueron órganos clave en la reorganización política de la Nueva España durante el siglo XVI, actuando como intermediarios entre la Corona de Castilla y las comunidades locales, y mostrando un delicado equilibrio entre control virreinal y continuidad indígena.
- [Did castes exist in New Spain? Mestizaje and social classifications in the viceregal order](https://www.xikoova.com/en/did-castes-exist-in-new-spain-mestizaje-and-social-classifications-in-the-viceregal-order/) — La idea de un rígido sistema de castas en la Nueva España es más compleja de lo que parece. Este artículo analiza el mestizaje, las clasificaciones sociales y el verdadero funcionamiento del orden virreinal.
- [A Brief History of Mexico City’s Zócalo](https://www.xikoova.com/en/a-brief-history-of-mexico-citys-zocalo/) — El Zócalo de la Ciudad de México ha sido el epicentro de la vida urbana desde la fundación de la ciudad, reflejando la evolución histórica, social y económica de la capital novohispana y su transformación en el corazón del virreinato.
- [The two republics in New Spain: indigenous peoples, Spaniards, and the viceregal social order (16th century)](https://www.xikoova.com/en/the-two-republics-in-new-spain-indigenous-peoples-spaniards-and-the-viceregal-social-order-16th-century/) — Durante el siglo XVI, la Corona de Castilla organizó la sociedad novohispana bajo el modelo de las dos repúblicas: la de indígenas y la de españoles. Este artículo analiza su fundamento legal, su aplicación práctica y las tensiones que surgieron en la vida cotidiana del virreinato.
- [Forced labor and wage labor in New Spain: from personal service to repartimiento (16th century)](https://www.xikoova.com/en/forced-labor-and-wage-labor-in-new-spain-from-personal-service-to-repartimiento-16th-century/) — Tras la abolición de la esclavitud indígena, el virreinato de la Nueva España reorganizó el trabajo mediante el servicio personal y el repartimiento, sistemas que revelan las tensiones entre legislación protectora y necesidades económicas.
- [African slavery in New Spain: origin, expansion, and legal limits (16th century)](https://www.xikoova.com/en/african-slavery-in-new-spain-origin-expansion-and-legal-limits-16th-century/) — En el siglo XVI, la Nueva España integró la esclavitud africana como parte de su economía. Este artículo analiza su origen, regulación y resistencias.
- [Epidemics and population in the 16th century: smallpox and cocoliztli](https://www.xikoova.com/en/epidemics-and-population-in-the-16th-century-smallpox-and-cocoliztli/) — Epidemics of smallpox and cocoliztli devastated the indigenous population in the 16th century, forever changing the demographic and spiritual balance of the viceroyalty.
- [Top 20 curiosities and historical details of the Day of the Dead that you may not have known.](https://www.xikoova.com/en/top-20-curiosities-and-historical-details-of-the-day-of-the-dead-that-you-may-not-have-known/) — From Mictecacíhuatl to La Catrina, learn 20 historical curiosities about the Day of the Dead and discover how this celebration became a symbol of Mexican identity.
- [The Mesoamerican origin of the cult of the dead: predecessor of the Day of the Dead](https://www.xikoova.com/en/the-mesoamerican-origin-of-the-cult-of-the-dead-predecessor-of-the-day-of-the-dead/) — Long before the Day of the Dead was celebrated, Mesoamerican cultures paid tribute to their dead on different dates of the ritual calendar. This cult of the dead, full of symbolism and connection to the earth, was the spiritual origin of one of Mexico's most beloved traditions.
- [From evangelization to syncretism: the Days of the Souls in New Spain (predecessor of the modern Day of the Dead)](https://www.xikoova.com/en/from-evangelization-to-syncretism-the-days-of-the-souls-in-new-spain-predecessor-of-the-modern-day-of-the-dead/) — The Days of the Dead in New Spain were the result of the encounter between indigenous beliefs about death and the Catholic festivities instituted by Popes Gregory III and IV. This syncretism, promoted and tolerated by the friars, transformed the ancient ancestor cults into a mestizo celebration that endures in the Day of the Dead.
- [Day of the Dead altars and ofrendas: symbols of the reunion between the living and the dead](https://www.xikoova.com/en/day-of-the-dead-altars-and-ofrendas-symbols-of-the-reunion-between-the-living-and-the-dead/) — The Day of the Dead altars were born during the viceregal era as an adaptation of the indigenous offerings to the Catholic calendar. In them, the Spanish domestic altar and the Mesoamerican symbolic elements were united, giving origin to a tradition that even today preserves the cempasúchil, the bread of the dead and the memory of the ancestors.
- [How the humorous vision of death originated: skulls, catrinas and Mexican popular humor.](https://www.xikoova.com/en/how-the-humorous-vision-of-death-originated-skulls-catrinas-and-mexican-popular-humor/) — The humorous vision of death in Mexico was born from the encounter between art, satire and tradition. From the literary skulls and engravings of Posada to the cultural impulse of Lázaro Cárdenas, death became a source of laughter, criticism and national pride.
- [Lázaro Cárdenas and the transformation of the Day of the Dead: from the Days of the Dead to the Mexican national symbol.](https://www.xikoova.com/en/lazaro-cardenas-transformation-day-of-the-dead/) — The Days of the Souls, inherited from the Viceroyalty, survived wars and prohibitions until it was transformed into the modern Day of the Dead. Under the cultural impulse of Lázaro Cárdenas, this tradition became a symbol of Mexican identity.
- [The Meaning of the Day of the Dead: Identity, Memory and Continuity](https://www.xikoova.com/en/the-meaning-of-the-day-of-the-dead-identity-memory-and-continuity/) — The Day of the Dead not only honors those who have passed away; it also affirms who we are. Among flowers, altars and memories, this tradition unites past and present, weaving the collective memory that defines Mexican identity.
- [The Day of the Dead in post-revolutionary art and education](https://www.xikoova.com/en/the-day-of-the-dead-in-post-revolutionary-art-and-education/) — Post-revolutionary Mexico used art and education to build its identity. From Rivera's murals to the school offerings promoted by Cárdenas, the Day of the Dead became a bridge between culture, memory and popular education.
- [Regional Day of the Dead Celebrations: from Patzcuaro to Mixquic, the diversity of the tradition](https://www.xikoova.com/en/regional-day-of-the-dead-celebrations-from-patzcuaro-to-mixquic-the-diversity-of-the-tradition/) — From Patzcuaro to Yucatan, Day of the Dead celebrations reveal Mexico's cultural diversity. Each region preserves unique rituals - the Mixquic alumbrada, the Mayan Hanal Pixán or the Oaxacan altars - that keep alive the tradition of honoring the dead.
- [Indigenous slavery and its abolition (1548): mines, settlements and resistances](https://www.xikoova.com/en/indigenous-slavery-and-its-abolition-1548-mines-settlements-and-resistances/) — Although the Crown of Castile prohibited indigenous slavery in 1548, forced labor persisted under new names and contracts that disguised servitude.
- [From personal service to the cash economy: indigenous labor and urban markets.](https://www.xikoova.com/en/from-personal-service-to-the-cash-economy-indigenous-labor-and-urban-markets/) — From personal service to currency: the economic transformation of the 16th century changed indigenous life and consolidated urban power in New Spain.
- [The Marquisate of the Valley of Oaxaca: an exceptional privilege and its limits](https://www.xikoova.com/en/the-marquisate-of-the-valley-of-oaxaca-an-exceptional-privilege-and-its-limits/) — The Marquisate of the Valley of Oaxaca symbolized contained power: an exceptional recognition of Hernán Cortés under the strict supervision of the Crown.

...and 97 more.