By ENRIQUE KRAUZEThe New York Times
September 14, 2010
"EVERY 100 years, Mexico seems to have a rendezvous with violence. As the country gathers on (Sunday) night for the ceremony of the “grito” — the call to arms that began the war for independence from Spain — we are enduring another violent crisis, albeit one that differs greatly from those of a century and two centuries ago.
In 1810 and 1910, revolutions erupted that lasted 10 years or more and were so destructive that both times it took decades for the country to re-establish its previous levels of peace and progress.
"Both episodes furthered Mexico’s political development, however, and our collective memory centers on these two dates that have taken on such symmetrical and mythical significance. In 2010, Mexico is again convulsed with violence, though the size and scope of today’s conflict does not even remotely approach that of 1810 or 1910. This war is unfolding within and between gangs of criminals, who commit violent acts that are fueled only by a competitive lust for money. This is strikingly different from the revolutions of 1810 or 1910, which were clashes of ideals. In 1810, Mexican-born Spaniards — the creoles — saw no recourse other than violence as the means to gain independence from Spain."
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1 comment:
Krauze is a terrible historian. Mexico has been in a state of chaos most of its existence. Santa Anna was president of Mexico ELEVEN times between 1830 and 1855 alone. The entire 19th century was one continuous battle with the exception of the dictator Diaz. Then again in 1910 the violence began and did not end until after the Cardenas in 1940. And, now the Narco violence. The periods of calm in Mexico are an aberration, not the norm. If you want the real history of today's independence anniversary read about the Spanish Cortes of 1812, which was the basis of Mexican counter-liberal, right wing, conservative independence under Iturbide. Who, by the way, was executed in Padilla, Tamaulipas, under water now, not far from Brownsville, when he attempted to return for a Reconquista with Spanish help in 1824. Like all propaganda, Mexican history is taught to keep the masses under control. By the way, the Virgin de Guadalupe did not become part of the Mexican culture until 300 years after Juan Diego, during the early years of the battle for Independence when she was used to rally the native people to fight the Spanish.
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