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Hernan Cortes leads a force of conquistadors to Mexico
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Within two years, these explorers and soldiers had defeated the Aztec and taken control of their empire
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After conquering Mexico, the Spanish moved south. Spain had seized control of most of Central America.
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Mexico was troubled by political conflict most of the 1800s.
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After almost 300 years of Spanish rule, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo led a rebellion in Mexico.
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The Spanish captured and executed Hidalgo, but by 1821 Mexico had gained its independence
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By the early 1900s, dissatisfaction was widespread. A revolution erupted in Mexico
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National public schools were established, and a new constitution was written detailing the responsibilities of the government toward the people. Only one political party, however, held power until the 1990s