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This course explores the turbulent story of Mexico’s break from Spanish rule and the complex process of building a nation from the ruins of empire. It brings to life the people, conflicts, and ideas that drove independence. Themes include social inequality, rebellion, political fragmentation, and the enduring legacies of colonial rule.
What will we cover?
Week 1: Colonial Mexico and the Origins of Independence (to 1821) Social hierarchy, race, and inequality in New Spain; the crises of empire and the outbreak of revolt in 1810. We look at cultural artefacts including ‘casta’ paintings, religious icons such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, and revolutionary proclamations.
Week 2: Independence and Instability (1821-1870s) From empire to fragile republic: political conflict, regional divisions, and foreign intervention, including the US-Mexico War and French intervention. We look at early constitutions, political cartoons, and liberal reform documents.
Week 3: Order, Progress, and Revolution (1870s-1920s) The promises of modernisation, followed by the Mexican Revolution. Key figures include political leaders Porfirio Díaz, Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa, and the session includes analysis of photographs, revolutionary songs (corridos), and muralist art emerging from the revolution.
Week 4: Modern Mexico (1920s-Today) State-building after revolution, the rise of the PRI (the Institutional Revolutionary Party), and contemporary political and social change. Themes include nationalism, inequality, and globalisation. We also look at more murals, film, protest art, and modern media reflecting identity and politics.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Confidently describe the causes and course of Mexican independence
Explain how colonial inequalities fuelled revolution
Identify key personalities and evaluate their significance
Assess why independence did not bring immediate stability
Draw links between early 19th-century conflicts and contemporary Mexican history
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a four-week introductory course, and no prior knowledge is required. As with all of our humanities courses, a willingness to engage respectfully with the tutor and your classmates is essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive lectures with group discussions. No homework, although optional follow-up reading and activities will be provided.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Anna Grimaldi is a lecturer in politics and international relations at the University of Leeds. Her work focuses on themes of dictatorship, political resistance, and transnational solidarity. She has written on exile and solidarity activism in the context of Brazil's military dictatorship of 1964 to 1985, some of which has been published in her recent book - Brazil and the Transnational Human Rights Movement. Anna's more recent research examines solidarity activism and social movements across and between Latin America and the "Global South", particularly the ways in which social movements and political projects of the past are called upon by activists in the present through artistic and cultural production. Anna has taught at City Lit for three years and is keen to teach despite now living in Leeds.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/mexico-an-introductory-history3077101Mexico: an introductory historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/e/mexico_an_introductory_history.jpg8989GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Caribbean & Americas/Courses/Online courses228511771178118017311228511771178<p>Explore how colonial Mexico transformed into an independent nation and how its early political struggles shaped the country we know today. </p>003077095Mexico: an introductory history8989https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/e/mexico_an_introductory_history_1.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-09-08T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH3268989Mexico: an introductory history895889Anna Grimaldimexico-an-introductory-history/hwh326-2627<p>Explore how colonial Mexico transformed into an independent nation and how its early political struggles shaped the country we know today. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-08 00:00:00<p>This course explores the turbulent story of Mexico’s break from Spanish rule and the complex process of building a nation from the ruins of empire. It brings to life the people, conflicts, and ideas that drove independence. Themes include social inequality, rebellion, political fragmentation, and the enduring legacies of colonial rule.</p><p>Explore how colonial Mexico transformed into an independent nation and how its early political struggles shaped the country we know today. </p><p><strong>Week 1: Colonial Mexico and the Origins of Independence (to 1821) </strong><br>Social hierarchy, race, and inequality in New Spain; the crises of empire and the outbreak of revolt in 1810. We look at cultural artefacts including ‘casta’ paintings, religious icons such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, and revolutionary proclamations. </p><p><strong>Week 2: Independence and Instability (1821-1870s) </strong><br>From empire to fragile republic: political conflict, regional divisions, and foreign intervention, including the US-Mexico War and French intervention. We look at early constitutions, political cartoons, and liberal reform documents. </p><p><strong>Week 3: Order, Progress, and Revolution (1870s-1920s) </strong><br>The promises of modernisation, followed by the Mexican Revolution. Key figures include political leaders Porfirio Díaz, Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa, and the session includes analysis of photographs, revolutionary songs (corridos), and muralist art emerging from the revolution. </p><p><strong>Week 4: Modern Mexico (1920s-Today) </strong><br>State-building after revolution, the rise of the PRI (the Institutional Revolutionary Party), and contemporary political and social change. Themes include nationalism, inequality, and globalisation. We also look at more murals, film, protest art, and modern media reflecting identity and politics. </p><ul><li><p>Confidently describe the causes and course of Mexican independence </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Explain how colonial inequalities fuelled revolution </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify key personalities and evaluate their significance </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Assess why independence did not bring immediate stability </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Draw links between early 19th-century conflicts and contemporary Mexican history </p></li></ul><p>This is a four-week introductory course, and no prior knowledge is required. As with all of our humanities courses, a willingness to engage respectfully with the tutor and your classmates is essential.</p><p>Interactive lectures with group discussions. No homework, although optional follow-up reading and activities will be provided. </p><p>There are no additional course costs. </p><ul><li>HWH327 History taster: Puerto Rico (in Term 1)</li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/flags-decoded-latin-america/hpc360-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flags decoded: Latin America</a> (in Term 1)</li><li>HWH328 Brazil, Chile & Argentina: an introductory history (in Term 2)</li><li>HAH81 Andean Latin America: an introductory history (In Term 3) </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=latin+America" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming online and in-person courses and workshops on Latin America here.</a> </p>HistoryThe Caribbean & Americasvirtual898958HWH326NONETue08/09/26 - 29/09/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineAnna GrimaldiBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-08T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities8989Mexico: an introductory historymexico-an-introductory-history/hwh326-2627<p>Explore how colonial Mexico transformed into an independent nation and how its early political struggles shaped the country we know today. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-08 00:00:00<p>This course explores the turbulent story of Mexico’s break from Spanish rule and the complex process of building a nation from the ruins of empire. It brings to life the people, conflicts, and ideas that drove independence. Themes include social inequality, rebellion, political fragmentation, and the enduring legacies of colonial rule.</p><p>Explore how colonial Mexico transformed into an independent nation and how its early political struggles shaped the country we know today. </p><p><strong>Week 1: Colonial Mexico and the Origins of Independence (to 1821) </strong><br>Social hierarchy, race, and inequality in New Spain; the crises of empire and the outbreak of revolt in 1810. We look at cultural artefacts including ‘casta’ paintings, religious icons such as the Virgin of Guadalupe, and revolutionary proclamations. </p><p><strong>Week 2: Independence and Instability (1821-1870s) </strong><br>From empire to fragile republic: political conflict, regional divisions, and foreign intervention, including the US-Mexico War and French intervention. We look at early constitutions, political cartoons, and liberal reform documents. </p><p><strong>Week 3: Order, Progress, and Revolution (1870s-1920s) </strong><br>The promises of modernisation, followed by the Mexican Revolution. Key figures include political leaders Porfirio Díaz, Emiliano Zapata, and Pancho Villa, and the session includes analysis of photographs, revolutionary songs (corridos), and muralist art emerging from the revolution. </p><p><strong>Week 4: Modern Mexico (1920s-Today) </strong><br>State-building after revolution, the rise of the PRI (the Institutional Revolutionary Party), and contemporary political and social change. Themes include nationalism, inequality, and globalisation. We also look at more murals, film, protest art, and modern media reflecting identity and politics. </p><ul><li><p>Confidently describe the causes and course of Mexican independence </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Explain how colonial inequalities fuelled revolution </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify key personalities and evaluate their significance </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Assess why independence did not bring immediate stability </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Draw links between early 19th-century conflicts and contemporary Mexican history </p></li></ul><p>This is a four-week introductory course, and no prior knowledge is required. As with all of our humanities courses, a willingness to engage respectfully with the tutor and your classmates is essential.</p><p>Interactive lectures with group discussions. No homework, although optional follow-up reading and activities will be provided. </p><p>There are no additional course costs. </p><ul><li>HWH327 History taster: Puerto Rico (in Term 1)</li><li><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/flags-decoded-latin-america/hpc360-2627" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flags decoded: Latin America</a> (in Term 1)</li><li>HWH328 Brazil, Chile &amp; Argentina: an introductory history (in Term 2)</li><li>HAH81 Andean Latin America: an introductory history (In Term 3) </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=latin+America" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming online and in-person courses and workshops on Latin America here.</a> </p>HistoryThe Caribbean & Americasconfigurable
11801178The Caribbean & Americashttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/american-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11801/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Caribbean & Americas
