To the Spaniards who invaded Mexico in the 16th century, the Aztec culture - which embraced the sacrifice of human lives to the gods - seemed especially bloodthirsty. Yet this cruelty was far exceeded by that of these Christian conquerors. The small army led by General Hernán Cortés massacred large numbers of the indigenous population. To this day, the Aztec pyramids and temples bear witness to the achievements of the Aztecs in terms of civilisation and culture.
Even after Mexico had become a republic in 1823, an elite group, of Spanish descent, retained power over the rural Mexican population. In the early twentieth century resistence was successfully built up. The revolutionary heroes Pancho Villa in the north and Emiliano Zapata in the south of Mexico became legendary figures. The dictator, Victoriano Huerta, was forced to flee the country and in 1917 a new constitution was established. The abolishment of feudalism combined with the introduction of guaranteed minimum pay and freedom of assembly marked a drastic break with the older social order. However, the politics of successive governments following the constitution belied the spirit of this new order.
Since the revolution numerous parties have struggled for power in Mexico. Yet the PRI, the party of the institutionalised revolution, always comes out on top. Its policy of industrialisation and modernisation has brought relative political stability to the country. A sector of the population enjoys great wealth and
this financial inequality has again and again given rise to rebellions, led by men upholding the ideals of the revolution. On New Year's Day in 1994 the Mexican government was taken by surprise by a well-organised uprising in the southern federal state of Chiapas. The army quelled the uprising, but there is still no end to the conflict in sight.