Munsey's Magazine, December 1919

Mexico, from Cortez to Diaz

This article by Frederic Austin Ogg, Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin, provides a historical survey of Mexico from indigenous times through the Spanish colonial period. The text covers the pre-conquest civilizations—including the Itzaes, Mayas, Toltecs, and Aztecs—describing the Aztec empire under the Montezumas as a sophisticated civilization with stone cities, governmental structures, agriculture, manufactures, and a capital at Tenochtitlan housing three hundred thousand inhabitants. The narrative then details Cortez's 1519 expedition and the conquest of the Aztec empire within thirty months, followed by three centuries of Spanish colonial rule administered through viceroys. The article emphasizes Spain's primary exploitation of Mexico's mineral wealth, particularly gold and silver mines, while largely neglecting agricultural and forestry resources. Illustrated with photographs of pre-Columbian ruins, Spanish colonial architecture, and contemporary Mexican landmarks.