Victorian Mexico

During my travels to Mexico, I recognized French influences on Architecture and cuisine that I didn't expect to encounter.  This made me realize how little I knew about Mexican history; the same is probably true for most Americans.

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The 19th century was a turbulent era of Mexican politics, resulting in a story that sounds very much like Game of Thrones - tales of the rise and fall of emperors and empires; depositions, abdications and executions; family ties that are exploited abused and broken, leaving only echoes of their existence on modern times.  (But no dragons.)

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Did you know:

• The official name of the country is not just "Mexico"?

• Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day?

• Both Napoleon Bonaparte and his nephew Emperor Bonaparte III interfered in Mexican politics?

• Two emperors ruled two separate monarchies in Mexico, neither lasting for more than 3 years?

• That there is a connection between a former King of Spain and Bordentown, NJ?

• That there is a connection between the Mexican Revolution and Star Wars?

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This presentation is both an overview of Mexican history through the 19th and early 20th century, and also a travelogue with pictures documenting remaining French influences on Mexican architecture, culture and cuisine.

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