Chiapas History, Mexico

Archeologists have shown proofs that the land on which today Chiapas is located was inhabited by various settlements even during the 1400 B.C.E. It was the 800 C.E. when locals of Chiapaneca took control of towns namely Maya and Zoque. History reveals that the city of Palenque was built during the preclassic era (which started in 2500 BCE and continued till 200 CE) although the major monuments were built somewhere in 600 C.E.

Spanish Army took control of Chiapas during the early years of sixteenth century and this was the time when Chiapas was tagged as part of New Spain. The Spanish Rulers named the city as Cheops as there were huge similarities were found when the Egyptian culture and the Maya Culture of those days were compared. The state of Chiapas became part of Mexico in the year 1823 as during this time Central America had become independent from the Mexico rule. It was the year 1880 when complete Chiapas was made part of Mexico as during this time the remaining land was taken from state of Guatemala.

Though by now the state of Chiapas was under the independent government of Mexico still internally many Spanish people were controlling the locals of Chiapas by utilizing various financial debts which they had on these locals. The government during those days tried to abolish this debt system but couldn’t and hence the touch of Spanish culture are still visible in this region as many migrants from Spain stayed in this region even after the control of Spain was over.

It was the year 1982 when land reform characteristics of this state were de - prioritized. The economy of Mexico was liberalized during this time and this helped the economy of this state to grow exponentially. This was the time when the agricultural business of Chiapas started to grow and this is what strengthened the inhabitants of Chiapas.

The state of Chiapas faced internal revolts against the local government. This revolt gave birth to the very famous Zapatista Army and its fighters were called as Zapatistas. This army started the revolt officially against the local government on 1st January 1994. Although there was a peach pact signed between the two sides yet the revolt again started and gained international recognition. Small incidents of fights between the two are still existing.