History Hidalgo (state)

cave paintings in huichapan



atlantes @ tula archeological site

the modern day state of hidalgo located within pre-hispanic region of mesoamerica. numerous migrations of indigenous people took place through here, arriving or passing through north, many settling in valley of mexico. toltecs settled in xochicoatlán, municipality of molango @ beginning of 7th century. here dispersed locales such huejutla , tollatzingo (now called tulancingo) had capital of tollan, today known tula.

the toltecs overrun chichimecas, established capital in metztitlán. aztecs arrived in 12th century, establishing in mixquiahuala, founding tizayuca later. eventually, aztecs took on of southern portion of state, incorporating aztec empire.

after spanish conquest of aztec empire, conquistadors carved out territories aztec lands. hernán cortés took possession of lands northeast of mexico city extending modern hidalgo state. evangelization efforts followed thereafter first franciscans arriving in 1523.this changed social, economic , cultural structure of areas spanish took control of natural resources minerals, , labor indians provided. led massive decrease in native population, during governorship of area nuño beltrán de guzmán. 18th century, economy of hidalgo area dominated mining , agricultural haciendas. of agricultural production during colonial period centered on livestock such sheep , pigs making of pulque native maguey plant. however, mining of silver, gold , other metals in pachuca/real del monte area economic backbone of area through colonial period , of post independence period. mining’s fortunes rise , fall during colonial period 1 of productive eras coming under control of pedro romero de terreros in 18th century.

monastery of san francisco in pachuca

despite spanish control , evangelization efforts since 16th century, 18th century, many of otomi , other indigenous groups of area had not been subjugated, in sierra gorda , sierra baja areas. these groups , others manage significant amount of success in maintaining cultural, political , economic autonomy through colonial period. of state still maintains number of strong indigenous identities.

many in hidalgo, indigenous, supported miguel hidalgo y costilla’s cause, providing leaders such josé maría correa , josé antonio magos, both of whom active in mezquital valley area. however, no major battles of mexican war of independence fought in state. instead, number of smaller operations against local spaniards conducted. when war ended in 1821, country divided number of states. modern state of hidalgo part of large territory called “mexico” (which extended in directions mexico city), split remaining portion becoming modern state of mexico. hidalgo districts of tula, tulancingo , huejutla of former entity. state of hidalgo not formally created until 1860s.

the economic consequences mines of pachuca , real del monte during war of independence ruinous. in 1824, british mining companies brought in revive sector. british introduced steam-powered machinery , other modern techniques large quantity of cornish miners. many of these cornish miners stayed , english names , foods such pasties (called “pastes” in spanish) define state, in pachuca , real del monte areas. these englishmen forced sell interest mexican capitalists in 1849, , mining sector fell again.

in 1861, government of vast state of mexico centered in toluca, east of mexico city. distance of capital 1 of reasons why hidalgo state separate. when french forces invaded central mexico in 1862, large territory of mexico divided 3 military sectors defense. second district had capital in actopan , borders commensurate of modern hidalgo state. french succeeded in placing maximilian on throne of mexico, visited pachuca in 1865. thereafter, insurgent activity against french government intensified , after maximilian overthrown, new republican government decided make military district state of hidalgo in 1869. state named after miguel hidalgo y costilla, first leader of mexican independence movement.

from establishment of state until porfirio díaz period, economy, mining sector erratic. in late 1880s, number of modern inventions, such telegraph, telephone , railroad helped hidalgo economy. brought in wave of foreign investment in mining industry. mid-1900s, of mining production in pachuca , real del monte controlled u.s. based interests such united states mining smelting , refining company. pulque haciendas, selling nearby mexico city, prosperous in late 19th , 20th centuries. prosperity of state best seen in capital of pachuca construction of many civic structures, many rural areas still quite impoverished. situation make state favor oncoming mexican revolution.

during mexican revolution, local armed groups, such 1 led francisco p. mariel in huejutla, faced off against government troops. forces led nicolas flores took jacala , threatened zimapan , ixmiquilpan in 1911. later same year gabriel hernandez took tulancingo , pachuca, forcing then-governor out of power. after porfirio díaz fled country, several factions vie power here. government of state seized in 1915 agustin sangins, declared himself in favor of victoriano huerta, prompting opponents take arms in huasteca area, jacala , tulancingo. victory went in support of huerta. when huerta’s government fell, state had chaotic succession of governors, each of whom supported different factions. when war wound down 1920, state had new constitution. in 1920, first airmail flight took place biplane piloted horacio ruiz gaviño taking off pachuca , landing in mexico city 53 minutes later carrying 543 letters, 61 postcards , other items. war left mining industry in ruins again , desertion of same american companies. modernization of destroyed infrastructure began in 1920s reconstruction of telephone lines , construction of highways within state. in 1930s, number of companies such cruz azul cement expropriated , popular credit schemes such banco de credito ejidal created. on 130 schools in rural areas built. construction , modernization of infrastructure continue through rest of 20th century. wave of mining activity decline in mid-20th century, causing deterioration of state’s economy, in pachuca area. in 1950s , 1960s efforts undertaken shift state’s economy agriculture , mining manufacturing. in 1952, automotive motor production facility called diesel nacional (dina) constructed. old instituto científico literario autónomo de hidalgo converted universidad autónoma del estado de hidalgo in 1961, purpose of turning out engineers , other professionals provide impetus development of industry. these efforts paid dividends , construction growth, of suburban subdivisions workers in newly built factories.

the growth of greater mexico city area reached southern border of hidalgo state in late 20th , 21st century municipality of tizayuca formally added region in 2005.

one problem extreme southern part of state has had in past decade contamination of water drainage of valley of mexico. mexico city pumps out excess water area, valley has no natural drainage, north mexico , hidalgo states. water increasingly polluted , causing damage these northern zones. state negotiating federal , other treat , recycle water not further damage state agriculture , environment.