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The Spanish first learned of Mexico during the Juan de Grijalva expedition of 1518. When found they realized they weren't the only ones there.
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Smallpox was a devastating disease: it generally killed Aztecs but not Spaniards. Who as Europeans had already been exposed to it in their cities for centuries and therefore had developed acquired immunity.
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The capture of Tenochtitlan and refounding of Mexico City in 1521, marked the beginning of a 300-year-long colonial era. Which Mexico was known as Nueva España (New Spain).
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The Council of Indies and the mendicant religious orders, which arrived in Mesoamerica as early as 1524. The labored to generate capital for the crown of Spain and convert the Amerindian populations to Catholicism.
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On September 16, 1810, a "loyalist revolt" against the ruling Junta was declared by priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Where he lived in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato.
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Hidalgo and some of his soldiers were captured and executed by firing squad in Chihuahua, on July 31, 1811. Following his death, the leadership was assumed by priest José María Morelos, who occupied key southern cities.
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Morelos was captured and executed on December 22, 1815. He had died shortly after the death of Hidalgo.
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Iturbide approached Guerrero to join forces, ending the war. While on August 24, 1821 is known as Mexico's Independence Day.
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Agustín de Iturbide became constitutional emperor of the First Mexican Empire in 1822. There have been many leaders before, but never someone so important as the emperor.
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President Díaz announced in 1908 that he would retire in 1911. Resulting in the development of new coalitions.
