History Oaxaca

1 history

1.1 name
1.2 pre-historic , pre-hispanic period
1.3 spanish colonization
1.4 independence
1.5 late 19th century present

history

name

the name of state comes name of capital city, oaxaca. name comes nahuatl word huaxyacac , refers tree called guaje (leucaena leucocephala) found around capital city. name applied valley of oaxaca nahuatl-speaking aztecs , passed on spanish during conquest of oaxaca region. modern state created in 1824, , state seal designed alfredo canseco feraud , approved government of eduardo vasconcelos. nahuatl word huaxyacac [waːʃ.ˈja.kak] transliterated oaxaca using medieval spanish orthography, in x represented voiceless postalveolar fricative ([ʃ], equivalent of english sh in shop ), making oaxaca pronounced [waˈʃaka]. however, during sixteenth century voiceless fricative sound evolved voiceless velar fricative ([x], ch in scottish loch ), , oaxaca began pronounced [waˈxaka]. in present-day spanish, oaxaca pronounced [waˈxaka] or [waˈhaka], latter pronunciation used in dialects of southern mexico, caribbean, of central america, places in south america, , canary islands , western andalusia in spain [x] has become voiceless glottal fricative ([h]).

pre-historic , pre-hispanic period

effigy head brazier (500 bc-200 bc)

most of known pre-historic oaxaca comes work in central valleys region. evidence of human habitation dating 11,000 years bc has been found in guilá naquitz cave near town of mitla. area recognized unesco world heritage site in 2010 in recognition earliest known evidence of domesticated plants in continent, while corn cob fragments same cave said earliest documented evidence domestication of maize. more finds of nomadic peoples date 5000 bc, evidence of beginning of agriculture. 2000 bc, agriculture had been established in central valleys region of state, sedentary villages. diet developed around time remain until spanish conquest, consisting of harvested corn, beans, chocolate, tomatoes, chili peppers, squash , gourds. meat hunted , included tepescuintle, turkey, deer, peccary, armadillo , iguana.

the oldest known major settlements, such yanhuitlán , laguna zope located in area well. latter settlement known small figures called pretty women or baby face. between 1200 , 900 bc, pottery being produced in area well. pottery has been linked similar work done in la victoria, guatemala. other important settlements same time period include tierras largas, san josé mogote , guadalupe, ceramics show olmec influence. major native language family, oto-manguean, thought have been spoken in northern oaxaca around 4400 bc , have evolved 9 distinct branches 1500 bc.

historic events in oaxaca far 12th century described in pictographic codices painted zapotecs , mixtecs in beginning of colonial period, outside of information can obtained through study, little historical information pre-colonial oaxaca exist, , our knowledge of period relies largely on archaeological remains. 500 bc, central valleys of oaxaca inhabited zapotecs, mixtecs on western side. these 2 groups in conflict throughout pre-hispanic period. archeological evidence indicates between 750 , 1521, there may have been population peaks of high 2.5 million.

the zapotecs earliest gain dominance on central valleys region. first major dominion centered in monte albán, flourished 500 bc until ad 750 . @ height, monte albán home 25,000 people , capital city of zapotec nation. remained secondary center of power zapotecs until mixtecs overran in 1325. site contains number of notable features including danzantes, set of stone reliefs , finding of fine quality ceramics.

looking southwest on site of monte alban

starting ad 750 previous large urban centers such monte alban fell across oaxaca area , smaller dominions grew , evolved until spanish conquest in 1521. between 700 , 1300, mixtec scattered among various dominions, including of achiutla, tequixtepec-chazumba, apoala , coixtlahuaca. zapotecs occupied large region central valleys region isthmus of tehuantepec. however, no major city state monte albán arose again, villages , city-states remaining small, between 1,000 , 3,000 people palace, temple, market , residences. in number of cases, there mesoamerican ball courts well. these , larger centers functioned military fortresses in time of invasion. important zapotec , mixtec sites include yagul, zaachila, inguiteria, yanhuitlan, tamazulapan, tejupan, , teposcolula. during of time, these various entities @ war 1 another, , faced threat of aztec expansion.

while zapotec remained dominant in many parts of central valleys , isthmus of tehuantepec, mixtec pushing zapotec territory, taking monte alban. in areas conquered, became prolific builders, leaving behind numerous , still unexplored sites. however, conquest of central valleys never completed pressure coming aztecs in tenochtitlan in 14th , 15th centuries. zapotecs , mixtecs both allied , fought among tried maintain lands , valuable trade routes between high central plains of mexico , central america.

the first aztecs arrived oaxaca area in 1250, true expansion region began in 15th century. in 1457, moctezuma invaded tlaxiaco , coixtlahuaca areas, gaining control, demanding tribute , establishing military outposts. these mixtec lands @ first, pushing these people further zapotec territory. under axayacatl , tizoc, aztec began take control of trade routes in area , part of pacific coast. time, zapotec led cosijoeza government in zaachila in latter 15th century. under ahuitzotl, aztecs temporarily pushed zapotecs tehuantepec , established permanent military base @ huaxyacac (oaxaca city). aztecs stopped spanish conquest these conquests change of place names in parts of oaxaca nahuatl language. in 1486 aztecs established fort on hill of huaxyácac (now called el fortín), overlooking present city of oaxaca. major aztec military base charged enforcement of tribute collection , control of trade routes.

however, aztec rule in oaxaca last little more thirty years.

spanish colonization

cathedral of our lady of assumption motherchurch of oaxacan archdiocese

very after fall of tenochtitlan (mexico city), spaniards arrived in oaxaca. moctezuma ii had informed hernando cortes area had gold. in addition, when zapotec leaders heard spanish conquest of aztec empire, sent offer of alliance. several captains , representatives sent area explore area, looking gold, , routes pacific establish trade routes asian spice markets. prominent of cortés captains arrive here gonzalo de sandoval, francisco de orozco , pedro de alvarado. overcame main aztec military stronghold 4 months after fall of tenochtitlan. reports area prompted cortés seek title of marquis of valley of oaxaca spanish crown.

the valley zapotecs, mixtecs of upper mixteca, mazatecas , cuicatecas, part, choose not fight newcomers, instead negotiating keep of old hierarchy ultimate authority spanish. resistance new order sporadic , confined pacific coastal plain, zapotec sierra, mixea region , isthmus of tehuantepec. mixes put resistance intrusions on lands. not resisted during first decade or of spanish occupation, other groups, through rest of 16th century. last major mixe rebellion came in 1570, when burned , looted zapotec communities , threatened destroy spanish presidio of villa alta. however, rebellion put down spanish, in alliance 2,000 mixtecs , aztecs. point, mixe retreated far mountains isolate themselves, found today.

the first priest in territory juan diaz, accompanied francisco de orozco , build first church in city of oaxaca. followed bartolome de olmade , others began superficial conversion of number of indigenous, including baptism of zapotec leader cosijoeza. in 1528, dominicans settled in city of oaxaca, forming bishopric of oaxaca in 1535, , began spread out there, reaching tehuantepec , coast. other orders followed such jesuits in 1596, mercedarians in 1601, , others in 17th , 18th centuries.

spanish conquest , subsequent colonization had devastating effect on native population, due european diseases , forced labor. in areas native population or disappeared. has been estimated native population of region declined 1.5 million in 1520 150,000 in 1650. eventually, prompt spanish import african slaves regions of state, in costa chica. poor treatment of indigenous , african populations continue though colonial period. initially, spanish did not change native power structures , allowed nobles keep privileges long loyal spanish crown. however, indigenous lumped category spanish halted warfare among city-states , creating official category of indio (indian).

settlers arriving spain brought them domestic animals had never been seen in oaxaca: horses, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, mules , oxen. new crops such sugar cane, vanilla , tobacco introduced. however, landholding still remained in indigenous hands, in spite of fact 9% of oaxaca s terrain arable. spanish official , merchants try take indigenous privileges due social status, resisted. while of violent, dominant response resort administrative-judicial system or yield. violence reserved worst of situations. 1 native product reach economic importance during colonial period cochineal insect, used making of dyes textiles. product exported europe, in 17th , 18th centuries. use of insect faded in 19th century discovery of cheaper dyes.

for of colonial period, state (then intendencia or province) relatively isolated few roads , other forms of communication. politics , social issues strictly on local level. despite spanish domination, indigenous peoples of oaxaca have maintained of culture , identity, more other places in mexico. part of due geography of land, making many communities isolated.

independence

benito juarez

by 1810, city of oaxaca had 18,000 inhabitants, of whom mestizos or mixed indigenous/european. during mexican war of independence government of area remained loyal spanish crown. when representatives of miguel hidalgo y costilla came meet them, hanged , heads left out in view. rebel groups emerged in state, such led felipe tinoco , catarino palacios, executed. after 1812, insurgents began have success in state, in areas around huajuapan de león, valerio trujano defended city against royalist forces until josé maría morelos y pavón able come in support keep area in rebel hands. after point, insurgents had greater success in various parts of state, capital remained in royalist hands until end of war.

the state department after war ended in 1821, after fall of emperor agustín de iturbide, became state in 1824 jose maria murguia named first governor.

during 19th century, oaxaca , rest of mexico split between liberal (federalist) , conservative (centralist) factions. political , military struggles between factions resulted in wars , intrigues. vicente guerrero, liberal, executed firing squad in cuilapam in 1831. liberal manuel gomez pedraza became governor in 1832 opposed general estaban moctezuma. , commandant luis quintanar persecuted liberals in state, including benito juárez. constant warfare had negative effect on state s economy , in tehuantepec area supported separatist movement partially successful in 1850s.

two oaxacans, benito juarez , porfirio díaz prominent players in reform war. difficult overstate juárez s meaning state. born on march 21, 1806 in village of san pablo guelatao , full blooded zapotec. began career studying priest lawyer. in 1847, juarez became governor of oaxaca, still faced stern opposition conservatives such lope san germán. success of plan de ayutla, juarez became governor again, , worked remove privileges , properties church , landed classes. constitution of 1857, ratified in oaxaca city, , juarez left governor s position become president of mexico. president during 1 of mexico s turbulent times, fighting invading french forces , conservatives. liberal, imposed many of reforms remain today including in education , separation of church , state. considered legend , symbol indigenous population of state.

porfirio díaz juárez s ally through french intervention. french imperial forces took oaxaca city, defended porfirio diaz, landing latter in prison. capital later recaptured liberals under carlos oronoz. however, after juarez took presidency, porfirio diaz declared rebellion against him oaxaca in 1872 under plan de tuxtepec. juárez died in office. diaz succeed in obtaining presidency , did not relinquish until mexican revolution.

late 19th century present

protesters in oaxaca, 2006

during diaz s rule, called porfiriato, number of modernization efforts undertaken in state such public lighting, first gas electricity, railroad lines, new agriculture techniques , revitalization of commerce. however, of benefits of these advances went national , international corporations , workers , indigenous farmers organized against regime.

after mexican revolution broke out, diaz ousted , rest of war among various factions had power in different parts of country. various leaders such francisco i. madero, victoriano huerta , venustiano carranza came state during time. however; important force in area liberation army of south under emiliano zapata. army ally , fight against previous leaders, venustiano carranza, , hold various portions of state until 1920. @ end of revolution, new state constitution written , accepted in 1922.

workers campaigning in historic 2010 state government election.

a series of major disasters occurred in state 1920s 1940s. in 1928, series of earthquakes destroyed many of buildings in capital. larger earthquake in 1931, largest in state s history, devastating number of cities along coast. 1930s brought great depression, along disasters, prompted wide scale migration mexico city. in 1944, torrential rains caused massive flooding in tuxtepec region, causing hundreds of deaths.

in 1940s , 1950s, new infrastructure projects begun. these included izúcar-tehuantepec section of panamerican highway , construction of miguel alemán dam. 1980s present, there has been development of tourism industry in state. tourism, population growth of capital, prompted construction of oaxaca-mexico city highway in 1994. development of tourism has been strongest in central valleys area surrounding capital, secondary developments in huatulco , other locations along coast. development threatened violence associated 2006 uprising, severely curtailed number of incoming tourists several years.

on february 12, 2008, 6.4 magnitude earthquake recorded in oaxaca.

from mexican revolution until 2000s, ruling pri party held control of of oaxacan politics local state level. challenges rule sporadic , included student movements of 1970s, did bring down state government. teachers strikes had been frequent since then, culminating in 2006 uprising in oaxaca city, brought in groups protesting heavy marginalization of poor. pri lost 80-year hold on state government in 2010 election of pan gubernatorial candidate gabino cué monteagudo. has led speculation of major changes state.

in 2017, series of earthquakes brought death , destruction parts of mexico, including oaxaca. according geological survey, on september 23, 2017, magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook matías romero, 275 miles southeast of mexico city. epicenter 12 miles matías romero , centered approximately between 2 more violent earthquakes felt mexico earlier in month, , considered aftershock. on september 8, 8.1 magnitude quake had struck off of southern pacific coast, near chiapas state. mexico city, on september 19, endured 7.1 magnitude quake, marked 32nd anniversary of devastating 1985 earthquake, in more 10,000 people had been killed.