Mexico: a story of courage and conquest. Mexico. Vol. 1, God, gold and glory. Mexico. Vol. 2, From independence to the Alamo. Mexico. Vol. 3, Battle for North America. Mexico. Vol. 4, Revolution and rebirth.
Notes:
Narrator: Francisco Rivela. Originally broadcast on The History Channel. Previously released on VHS as Mexico: a story of courage and conquest. Publisher no.: v. 1. 70783, v. 2. 70784, v.3. 70785, v.4. 70786.
Contents:
v. 1. Mexico : God, gold and glory -- v. 2. Mexico : from independence to the Alamo -- v. 3. Mexico : battle for North America -- v. 4. Mexico : revolution and rebirth.
Summary:
v.1. Before Cortes arrived in 1519, the land that would become Mexico had already seen some of the greatest leaders and warriors in human history. God, Gold & Glory tells the story of the ancient empires that tamed the high valleys and rugged mountains. Visit the awe-inspiring ruins of Teotihuacan and Palenque relics of the Toltec and Mayan civilizations. Trace the waves of conquest that made the Aztecs the most powerful people in the New World, and the battles with the Spanish that brought their empire to its knees in little over a year. v.2. For 300 years after the conquistadors' triumph over the Aztecs, Mexico was the crown jewel of the Spanish colonial empire. But the injustices of the feudal system Spain imposed and the excesses of the Inquisition sparked the fires of revolution. Visit colonial Mexico, where the Catholic Church was the dominant force in daily life. From Manuel Hidalgo's historic march on Mexico City to the shocking treachery of a Spanish general, the story of the long fight for freedom comes alive. Relive the storied Battle of the Alamo, which forever colored Mexico's relationship with its powerful neighbor to the north. v.3. As hard as the struggle for freedom from Spain was, the first decades of autonomy were perhaps even more difficult for Mexico. Their hard-won victory was seemingly squandered in a vicious cycle of war and tyranny embodied by Santa Anna, the flamboyant general who gave away Texas in exchange for his life. Chronicle the waves of fighting that rocked the fledgling nation, from "The Pastry War" with France to the Mexican-American War and discover how the war with Mexico shaped the careers of pivotal figures from the American Civil War. The rise of arguably the most influential Mexican leader of all, Benito Juarez, is examined. v.4. By the end of the 19th century, Mexico was exhausted from years of fighting. But the battles were not over. After thirty years of iron-fisted rule, the nation rose up against the dictator Porfirio Diaz. Before the dust finally settled, new legends were made and Mexico was transformed yet again. Vol. 4 tells the story of the revolution waged by rogue bandits like Pancho Villa and peasant saints like Emiliano Zapata. A generation was lost, but through their sacrifice a modern nation was born. Discover how Mexico finally gained stability under the rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, and examine the problems that face the nation today.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.