the city had been capital of aztec empire , in colonial era, mexico city became capital of new spain. viceroy of mexico or vice-king lived in viceregal palace on main square or zócalo. mexico city metropolitan cathedral, seat of archbishopric of new spain, constructed on side of zócalo, archbishop s palace, , across building housing city council or ayuntamiento of city.
a famous late seventeenth-century painting of zócalo cristóbal de villalpando depicts main square, had been old aztec ceremonial center. existing central place of aztecs , permanently transformed ceremonial center , seat of power during colonial period, , remains day in modern mexico, central place of nation.
the rebuilding of city after siege of tenochtitlan accomplished abundant indigenous labor in surrounding area. franciscan friar toribio de benavente motolinia, 1 of twelve apostles of mexico arrived in new spain in 1524, described rebuilding of city 1 of afflictions or plagues of period:
the seventh plague construction of great city of mexico, which, during years used more people in construction of jerusalem. crowds of laborers numerous 1 hardly move in streets , causeways, although wide. many died being crushed beams, or falling high places, or in tearing down old buildings new ones.
preconquest tenochtitlan built in center of inland lake system, city reachable canoe , wide causeways mainland. causeways rebuilt under spanish rule indigenous labor.
colonial spanish cities constructed on grid pattern, if no geographical obstacle prevented it. in mexico city, zócalo (main square) central place grid built outward. spanish lived in area closest main square in known traza, in orderly, laid-out streets. indian residences outside exclusive zone , houses haphazardly located.
spaniards sought keep indians separate spaniards since zócalo center of commerce indians, constant presence in central area, strict segregation never enforced. @ intervals zócalo major celebrations took place executions. site of 2 major riots in seventeenth century, 1 in 1624, other in 1692.
the city grew population did, coming against lake s waters. depth of lake water fluctuated, mexico city subject periodic flooding. major labor draft, desagüe, compelled thousands of indians on colonial period work on infrastructure prevent flooding. floods not inconvenience health hazard, since during flood periods human waste polluted city s streets. draining area, mosquito population dropped did frequency of diseases spread. however, draining wetlands changed habitat fish , birds , areas accessible indian cultivation close capital.
the 16th century saw proliferation of churches, many of can still seen today in historic center. economically, mexico city prospered result of trade. unlike brazil or peru, mexico had easy contact both atlantic , pacific worlds. although spanish crown tried regulate commerce in city, had partial success.
chapultepec castle
the concept of nobility flourished in new spain in way not seen in other parts of americas. spaniards encountered society in concept of nobility mirrored of own. spaniards respected indigenous order of nobility , added it. in ensuing centuries, possession of noble title in mexico did not mean 1 exercised great political power, 1 s power limited if accumulation of wealth not. concept of nobility in mexico not political rather conservative spanish social one, based on proving worthiness of family. of these families proved worth making fortunes in new spain outside of city itself, spending revenues in capital, building churches, supporting charities , building extravagant palatial homes. craze build opulent residence possible reached height in last half of 18th century. many of these palaces can still seen today, leading mexico city s nickname of city of palaces given alexander von humboldt.
the grito de dolores ( cry of dolores ), known el grito de la independencia ( cry of independence ), marked beginning of mexican war of independence. battle of guanajuato, first major engagement of insurgency, occurred 4 days later. after decade of war, mexico s independence spain declared in declaration of independence of mexican empire on september 27, 1821. unrest followed next several decades, different factions fought control of mexico.
the mexican federal district established new government , signing of new constitution, concept of federal district adapted united states constitution. before designation, mexico city had served seat of government both state of mexico , nation whole. texcoco , toluca became capital of state of mexico.
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