Chihuahua

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This article is about the state in Mexico. For the capital city of that state, see Chihuahua, Chihuahua.
For other uses, see Chihuahua (disambiguation).
Chihuahua
Location
Statistics
Capital Chihuahua
Largest City Ciudad Juárez
Area 244,938 km²
Ranked 1st
Population
(2005 census)		 3,241,444
Ranked 11th
HDI (2004) 0.8224 - high
Ranked 8th
Governor
(2004-2010)		 José Reyes Baeza Terrazas (PRI)
Federal Deputies PRI: 5
PAN:4
Federal Senators PAN: 2
PRI: 1
ISO 3166-2
Postal abbr.		 MX-CHH
Chih.

Chihuahua is the largest state in Mexico, with a mainland area of 244,938 km², slightly bigger than the size of the UK, is located in the northwest surrounded by the Mexican states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Durango and Coahuila and the U.S. states of Texas and New Mexico.

Although Chihuahua is primarily identified by its large desert areas, it has more forests than any other Mexican state. On the slope of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains (around the regions of Casas Grandes, Cuauhtémoc and Parral), there are vast prairies of short yellow grass, where most of the agricultural production of the state comes from.

As of 2005, there were 3.2 million inhabitants of the state. The largest city is not the capital, Chihuahua, with a 748,518 inhabitants, but the U.S.-border city of Ciudad Juárez, with 1,301,452 residents (2005 census). The capital was founded in 1709 by Don Antonio Deza y Ulloa.

Chihuahua's population is predominantly Mestizo, but it also has one of the largest proportion of white population among the Mexican States (35%) surpassed only by the state of Coahuila (45%). It also includes such minority groups as the indigenous Tarahumara, Tepehuanes and Warojios in the mountainous areas, as well as large rural communities of Mennonites of German/Dutch origin and Anglo-American Mormon settlers (primarily in Colonia Juárez and Colonia Dublan, near Casas Grandes).

The state also has a large service sector: tourism, banking and high tech enterprises.

One of the most notable features of Chihuahua is the Barranca del Cobre, or Copper Canyon, a spectacular canyon system larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon.

Chihuahua played a pivotal role in the Mexican Revolution, and was a battleground between revolutionary forces led by Pancho Villa and federal forces.

Contents

[edit] History

(For history before the Independence from Spain go to Nueva Vizcaya)

[edit] Independence War Starts

Political changes interfered with the observance of this order, till the war of independence made its execution in 1812 a military necessity. Viceroy Venegas thereupon appointed to the command of the Occidente section, the brigadier Alejo Garcia Conde, governor of Sonora and Sinaloa, a deserving soldier nearly half a century in the royal service.[1] The Oriente division was offered to the Mariscal de campo, Felix Calleja, and he, declining to accept the position presented it to Simon Herrera, governor of Nuevo León, who was slain by insurgents before acceptance, whereupon Colonel Arredondo received the position. Nava, who ruled the united provinces at the opening of the century, was replaced in 1804 by Colonel Pedro Grimarest, and he soon after by Brigadier Nemesio Salcedo y Salcedo, who was presently recalled to Spain.[2]

[edit] Sara’s Campaign

In 1811, Bernardo Gutierrez de Sara, a citizen of Revilla, and a strong supporter of the revolutionary movement, had taken refuge in the United States after the suppression of the insurrection in Nuevo Santander, and there sought assistance in behalf of his cause. The welcome accorded to him by the people, and the well-known intentions of the United States government with regard to the Texan frontier, had given rise to no little uneasiness in Mexico, and this was further increased by a report that he was already on his march at the head of a large army, to support the fortunes of the insurgents.[3] The troops under Sara s command consisted in fact of only some four hundred and fifty men, many of whom were filibusters from the United States; but with this slender force he invaded Texas in 1812 and took possession of several cities, driving back the forces of Salcedo and Hererra. Warned of this danger, Arredondo, whose forces had been quartered in the ‘’’valley del Maiz’’’, at once marched against the enemy, collecting men and material on his way through Nuevo Santander. Meanwhile, ‘’’Colonel Elizondo’’’, who had been sent in advance, had allowed himself to be drawn into an engagement, and was totally routed.[4] A few weeks later, however, Arredondo himself inflicted a crushing defeat on the insurgents, now under the command of Alvarez de Toledo, who had sup planted Sara. Many of the prisoners were executed, including all the filibusters who fell into the hands of the Mexicans, and thus ended all hope of aid from the United States to the cause of the independence. The changes thus made were due less to the increase of population, and the development of the material resources of these provinces, than to military reasons, and with a view to the suppression of revolutionary movements. In the north-west the only troubles to be encountered were the usual hostilities with Indians, but toward the east the revolution had again assumed alarming proportions.[5]

[edit] Insurgent’s Trial

Salcedo had filled the office satisfactorily enough, while availing himself of the many opportunities presented by remoteness, and the disorders attending the war for independence, to accumulate a large fortune. When this conflict broke out in the south he exerted himself most commendably by adopting measures to exclude it from his own territory, and by appealing to his purse-strings and patriotism in behalf of his sovereign. While failing to achieve anything noteworthy in the field against the insurgents, he had the unenviable satisfaction of superintending the trial and execution of their great leader, Hidalgo, and his chief officers, in the course of May to July, 1811.[6] Nueva Vizcaya was not left wholly intact by the war, and some feeble local efforts were made by ardent patriots. A month before Hidalgo’s capture, a number of insurgents were secured, and the opening of 1812 was marked by a conflict at San Francisco between several hundred men.[7]

[edit] Awaiting Independence

Toward the close of 1814, Trespalacios and Caballero planned an outbreak at Chihuahua, but the plot was revealed to Garcia Conde, who now controlled the ‘’’Occidente’’’ section from this point, and promptly nipped the movement by arresting the principals. This comparative exemption was mainly due to the watchfulness of the authorities, including the clergy, who exercised most effectively the pardoning power. Brigadier Bernardo Bonavia y Zapata, governor intendente of Nueva Vizcaya, and his lieutenant at Durango, the asesor, Angel Pinilla y Perez, were conspicuously zealous in the royal cause. Chihuahua had its usual Apache raids to meet, and Durango suffered in 1820 brief irruption from rebellious Opatas, which was quelled without any serious bloodshed. The visit of the explorer, Pike, and the momentary reestablishment of Jesuits, in 1819, caused a temporary excitement.[8] In 1812, the provinces were cheered by receiving the liberal constitution (Constitution of Cadiz) conceded to the colonies by Spain, with the prospect of an audiencia. Although the constitution was suspended soon after by the viceroy, Nueva Vizcaya managed to elect a representative to the cortes, till its revival, in 1820, provided also an assembly and provincial deputations. Loyalty to Spain was most pronounced at the opening of this third decade so much so that when Iturbide turned against his viceregal master, General Cruz, ruler of Nueva Galicia, and the second power in the country, went to Durango to make a final effort in behalf of the tottering cause of Spain. He entered that city July 4, 1821, attended by officials from Zacatecas and other points, with a few hundred soldiers. Negrete, Iturbide’s lieutenant, followed in pursuit, and laid siege to the city early in August, with about 3,000 men.[9] The defence was maintained for over three weeks, with brisk firing and occasional sorties, varied by assaults, which involved severe losses. Negrete finally planted a battery against a vulnerable point, and on the August 30 gained a decided advantage. By this time defection had assisted to undermine the zeal of the royalist. A truce was accepted, and on September 3 the garrison surrendered, with the honors of war, and permission to retire with Cruz to Spain.[10]

[edit] Under the First Empire

M. Urrea was installed as jefe politico, while Antonio Cordero, who had governed atDurango as civil and military governor for the last three years, was rewarded for prompt adhesion with the comandancia general of the Occidente section, in place of Garcia Conde, who had delayed. In the following year the empire was received with the acclamation usually accorded to success, and Chihuahua and Durango were gladdened with the prospect of separate comandancias de armas.[11]

[edit] Province of the Federal Republic of Mexico

When shortly after the federalists rose against Iturbide, Chihuahua joined with equal readiness in the cry, after a momentary objection from Janos. In Durango measures were at first taken against the movement, but on March 5, 1823, the troops declared in favor it, followed by the people. Comandante general Cordero resigned, however, as did Brigadier I. del Corral, civil and military governor at Durango, whereupon the diputacion provincial declared the intendente Juan Navarro successor to the latter, and Gaspar de Ochoa, colonel of the pronouncing garrison, as commander in place of Cordero.[12]

[edit] The States of Chihuahua and Durango

By decree of July 19, 1823, the supreme congress decreed the division of Nueva Vizcaya into two provinces, to be known as Chihuahua and Durango, respectively, the capital of the former receiving the title of city and becoming the seat of a diputacion provincial. The act was just to Chihuahua, to which was already conceded a population of over 100,000, with requirements that made necessary a separate administration from that residing at the distant and uncongenial Durango. Nevertheless, a party persuaded the chamber to reunite the two provinces, including New Mexico, under the appellation Estado Interno del Norte, with capital at Chihuahua. Durango, however, raised objections. She demanded that her chief city be retained as capital, or that she be made a separate state or territory, on the ground of her large population, with resources far superior to those of Chihuahua and of several existing states.[13] The appeal found hearing, and on May 22 and July 6, 1824, the separation was affirmed, New Mexico being declared a territory of the federation. In the following year the two states, issued their constitution, in accordance with the federal organic law of the republic. Chihuahua established only one legislative chamber of not less than eleven deputies, while Durango indulged also in a senate of seven members, thereby supplying additional food for the party feuds which quickly began to unfold.[14]

[edit] Conservatives and Liberals

In the constituent legislature or convention, the escoces and yorkino, or conservative and liberal, elements already asserted themselves in a marked degree, for a time under the localized nicknames of Chirrines and Cuchas. Soon the military entered as a third party to watch their opportunities for spoil. The elections for the first regular legislature were disputed, and it was not till May 1, 1826, that the body was installed in not fully complete form. The triumphant liberals controlled it and failed not to direct blows against the clericals, who responded by fomenting a conspiracy for August 4. This was promptly stopped with the aid of informers, and more strenuous measures were taken against the party, to which end extra powers were conferred upon the (Durango) governor, Santiago Baca Ortiz, deputy to the first national congress, and leader of the yorkino party.[15]

[edit] Gonzalez’ Rebelion in Durango

The result was that the opponents had recourse to fresh plots, one of which in November met the same fate as the preceding; another took place in March 1827, when Lieutenant J.M. Gonzalez proclaimed himself comandante general, arrested the governor, dissolved the legislature, and terrified the liberals generally, assisted by women, who felt it a duty to sustain their confessors. The general government took prompt steps to check the movement, by sending General Parras, whose mere presence sufficed to dissipate it, for Gonzalez men passed over and their leader fled. Comandante general J. J. Ayestaran was replaced by Jose Figueroa. The following elections proved as unsatisfactory as the preceding, until finally the supreme government interfered, and effected a settlement for the moment in favor of the yorkino interest, this party having carried the day at Mexico, by electing Guerrero to the presidency.[16] Disorders at Mexico in 1828, produced a corresponding ebullition between the factions in the north, and the installation of the new legislature did not take place until the middle of the following year. Even then it was quickly dissolved by Governor Baca, who replaced it by one of more pronounced yorkino type. Guerrero’s liberal administration being overthrown in December, Colonel Gaspar de Ochoa pronounced in favor of the rebellious vice-president Bustamante, and in February 1830, mustered a rabble in opposition to the new governor, F. Elorriaga, whom he arrested with other prominent yorkinos. He then summoned the legislature which had been dissolved by Baca. The civil and military authorities were now headed by J. A. Pescador and Ochoa.[17]

[edit] Chihuahua and Vicente Guerrero

The general features of the preceding occurrence applied also to Chihuahua, although in a modified form. The first person elected under the new constitution of 1825, was Simon Elias Gonzalez, who being in Sonora, was induced to remain there, J. A. Arce taking his place as ruler in Chihuahua. In 1829, however, Gonzalez became comandante general of Chihuahua, his term of office on the west coast having expired. Arce showed himself a less thorough yorkino than his confrere ofDurango. Although unable to resist the popular clamor for the expulsion of the Spaniards, he soon quarreled with the legislature, which declared itself firmly for Guerrero, and announcing his support of Bustamante’s revolution, he suspended, in March 1830, eight members of that body, the vice-governor, and several other officials, and expelled them from the state. The course thus outlined was followed by Governor J. I. Madero, who succeeded in 1831, associated with J. J. Calvo as comandante general, stringent laws being issued against secret societies, which were supposed to be the main spring to the anti-clerical feeling among liberals.[18]

[edit] Durango and Bustamante

This feeling was wide-spread, and at the first symptom of reaction against the government at Mexico,Durango displayed active approval. In May 1832, Jose Urrea, a rising officer, undertook to support the restoration of President Pedraza, and on July 20, Governor Elorriaga was reinstated, and the legislative minority overthrown together with Baca was brought back to assist in forming a new legislature, which met on September 1. Chihuahua showing no desire to imitate the evolutionary movement, Urrea prepared to invade the state. Comandante-general J.J.Calvo threatened to retaliate, and a conflict seemed imminent when the entry of Santa Anna into Mexico put an end to the charge of the administration to feel the public pulse, while he kept safely in the background till the turn of affairs should become clear.[19]

[edit] Durango y Santa Anna

One step was the banishment of Bishop Zubiria for resisting the law relating to priests and other encroachments on the church; another joined the western states in a short lived coalition for sustaining the federal system. No sooner, however, had Santa Anna turned upon his colleague in alarm at the imposing efforts of the clerical party, than legislature as well as governor followed the example by adopting, in July 1834, his plan of Cuernavaca, which put a check to reforms. But such was their lukewarmness in enforcing it that the commanding officer, Colonel J. I. Gutierrez, on September 3, at the head of the garrison, affirmed the plan, and at the same time declared the term of the legislature and governor expired. At a convention of citizens called by himself to select a new provisional ruler, he naturally obtained the vote, with P. J. Escalante for his deputy, and a council to guide the administration.[20] Considering it for his interest to discountenance such radical dispositions of state authorities, Santa Anna ordered the reinstatement of Mendarozqueta, associated with Ochoa as comandante general. Gutierrez humbly yielded, but Escalante refused to surrender office, midst riotous demonstrations, whereupon troops were summoned from Zacatecas. Their approach gave force to the mediation of the returned prelate, and the change was effected without bloodshed. The ensuing election brought a new legislature, with governors conforming to the change of aspects. Nevertheless, in September 1835 political influence brought in as ruler Jose Urrea, of federalist tendencies, whose different revolutionary efforts had brought him to the grade of brigadier, with an ambition to gain further distinction.[21]

[edit] Chihuahua y Santa Anna

In Chihuahua, where the reaction under Farias had found less active response, the Cuernavaca plan was adopted in July 1834, with quiet deference to the national decision. At the same time the old favorite, Simon Elias Gonzalez, lately comandante general, was nominated governor, while the supreme authorities conferred the military command upon Colonel J. J. Calvo, whose firmness had earned well-merited praise. The state was in the midst of a war with the Apaches, which required the concentration of all energies and resources for defence. After a review of the situation, Simon Elias Gonzalez declared that the interests of the territory would be best served by uniting the civil and military power, at least while the campaign lasted. Opposition being made, he firmly insisted, and resigned. This exemplary abnegation was not lost, for in 1837 he was renominated with acclamation.[22]

[edit] Administrative divisions

Chihuahua is subdivided into 67 municipios (municipalities). See municipalities of Chihuahua.

  1. Ahumada
  2. Aldama
  3. Allende
  4. Aquiles Serdán
  5. Ascensión
  6. Bachiniva
  7. Balleza
  8. Batopilas
  9. Bocoyna
  10. Buenaventura
  11. Camargo
  12. Carichi
  13. Casas Grandes
  14. Chihuahua
  15. Chinipas
  16. Coronado
  17. Coyame del Sotol
  18. Cuauhtémoc
  19. Cusihuiriachi
  20. Delicias
  1. Dr. Belisario Domínguez
  2. El Tule
  3. Galeana
  4. Gómez Farías
  5. Gran Morelos
  6. Guachochi
  7. Guadalupe
  8. Guadalupe y Calvo
  9. Guazapares
  10. Guerrero
  11. Hidalgo del Parral
  12. Huejotitán
  13. Ignacio Zaragoza
  14. Janos
  1. Jiménez
  2. Juárez
  3. Julimes
  4. La Cruz
  5. López
  6. Madera
  7. Maguarichi
  8. Manuel Benavides
  9. Matachi
  10. Matamoros
  11. Meoqui
  12. Morelos
  13. Moris
  14. Namiquipa
  15. Nonoava
  16. Nuevo Casas Grandes
  17. Ocampo
  1. Ojinaga
  2. Praxedis G. Guerrero
  3. Riva Palacio
  4. Rosales
  5. Rosario
  6. San Francisco de Borja
  7. San Francisco de Conchos
  8. San Francisco del Oro
  9. Santa Bárbara
  10. Santa Isabel
  11. Satevo
  12. Saucillo
  13. Temósachi
  14. Urique
  15. Uruachi
  16. Valle de Zaragoza

[edit] Major communities

[edit] Chihuahua in Popular Culture

In Harry Turtledove's Southern Victory alternate-history series, the Confederate States of America buy Chihuahua from Mexico in 1881.

[edit] Pictures

Metropolitan cathedral of Chihuahua city

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  2. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  3. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  4. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  5. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  6. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  7. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  8. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco, The History Company, Publishers, 1889, Chapter 24
  9. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco, The History Company, Publishers, 1889, Chapter 24
  10. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco, The History Company, Publishers, 1889, Chapter 24
  11. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  12. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco, The History Company, Publishers, 1889, Chapter 24
  13. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  14. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  15. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  16. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  17. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  18. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  19. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  20. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  21. ^ History Of perros chatos of chihuas And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24
  22. ^ History Of The North Mexican States And Texas, Vol. II 1801-1889, San Francisco,The History Company, Publishers,1889, Chapter 24

[edit] External links

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