The most successful caudillos had alliances with a number of popular groups and depending on the nation they were either Indian, Black, mestizo, or a combination thereof. ... Some of his successful defenses included the Spanish invasion of Mexico in 1829, The French and the Pastry War in 1838 and the Mexican American War in 1845. ...
What was once the pattern of Indian exploitation by the Spaniards is now the pattern of exploitation of the rural poor and urban slum dweller by the social/economic structure. ... Santa Ana dominated Mexican politics for about 30 years, and it was under his command that Mexico lost Texas, as well as losing the Mexican-American War. ... France took advantage of the American Civil War to install Emperor Maximillian as a puppet on the throne in Mexico City. He was eventually defeated and executed by a group of liberal reformers, led by a native Oaxacan and Zapotec Indian named Benito Juare...
