México : La Conquista-Independencia-Adaptación, 1521-1821-2021

We want to extend a warm welcome to a UC Berkeley virtual conference website. The conference unpacks questions surrounding the two significant dates in the history of Mexico. In 2021 we commemorate almost one-hundred years since the end of the Mexican Revolution (1910-2010), two hundred since the end of the struggle for Mexican Independence, and five hundred since the fall of Mexico-Tenochtitlan. 2021 is the year that marks the five hundred years of the beginning of the end of the Aztec Empire with the capture of Tenochtitlan by Hernan Cortes (1521-2021). This event resulted in the genocide of the first nations on the American continent that Columbus’s “discovery” of “India” had begun in 1492.

The second important date is September 28, 1821, as it is the date of the Declaration of Independence. The treaty of Cordoba signed on August 24, 1821, marked the end of The treaty ended hostilities between royalists and troops that fought for Independence. Still, Spain didn’t officially recognize Mexican Independence until 1836.

While some have observed these as critical historical milestones, the organizers agree with what the Director of Center for Latin American Studies Professor Natalia Brizuela has noted, “even those presented as glorious (“independence”), particularly vis-a-vis indigenous populations, are markers of great catastrophes.” This conference represents an opportunity for us to reflect upon these dates and events. Precisely, the virtual conference presentations will revisit some of the events that transpired after 1521 and through the bicentenary of Mexico’s Independence.

The image on the poster is from Codex Borgia, but the historically accurate name of this codex is, "Codex Yoalli Ehēcatl."