HISTORY OF SAN LUIS POTOSÍ: MOST RELEVANT CHARACTERISTICS - HISTORY - 2025

The history of San Luis Potosí reflects that this state was one of the most important in Mexico in colonial times. During the War of Independence it was a very successful mining city and also served as the seat of government.

During pre-Hispanic times, the region known as Aridoamérica was not suitable for agriculture; therefore, there were no human settlements.

The nomadic Chimimec tribes of the region were hunters who did not build commercial or ceremonial cities.

But in the Huasteca and midland regions of Potosí, conditions were different. These areas were occupied by the Huasteca and Nahua tribes, who established trade relations with other cultures.

In 1518 the first Spanish expeditions were carried out, led by Juan de Grijalva and Alfonso Álvarez de Pineda.

Later, Hernán Cortés himself had control of San Luis Potosí. During the Conquest the settlements depended on the large number of mines in the region.

After the War of Independence, this area was the seat of the Benito Juárez government. It was here that Francisco Madero created his Plan of San Luis Potosí in 1910, thus beginning the Mexican Revolution.

Prehispanic era

The first inhabitants of this region are believed to have been nomadic Chimimec tribes; a large part of this state had soils unsuitable for agriculture, so no culture could settle there.

The most representative groups that moved through this territory included the Pames, the Guachichiles, the Macolias and the Mascorras.

In another part of the territory of what is now San Luis Potosí, large human settlements were established that practiced permanent agriculture.

These established cities that allowed their culture to transcend. These cultures were mainly the Huastecs and the Nahuas.

The flowering of the Huasteca culture during the period from 200 to 500 AD. C., led to the use of circles and related forms in the construction of temples and other structures.

Regarding their spiritual habits and customs, they worshiped the moon, the sun and the rain. Next, the most outstanding characteristics of the main tribes that inhabited San Luis Potosí will be described: Chichimecas, Guachachiles and Huastecas.

1- Chimimecas

This was the name given to the nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes of south-central Mexico.

The Spanish were convinced that these Indians were the equivalent of the Germanic barbarians.

They did not create settlements, they lived by hunting, they used little clothing and they resisted the invasion of their territory. Today only one group survives: the Chimimecas or Jonaz of Guanajuato.

2- Guachachiles

They were indigenous people who occupied the most extensive territory of all the Chimimec tribes of central Mexico.

They could usually be found in regions of Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, and Jalisco.

They were regarded as warriors and brave; they were known for their insistence on continuing to fight in battle, even if mortally wounded.

They were also especially known for their great skill with the bow and arrow.

3- Huastecas

They were indigenous Mayans located in San Luis Potosí and Veracruz, in central Mexico. The Huastecas were independent from other Mayans, both culturally and geographically.

This culture practiced agriculture; corn was their main crop. They also kept livestock such as pigs and donkeys, and practiced pottery and weaving.

Spanish conquest

In the year 1518 the first Spanish expeditions were carried out in the territory. These expeditions were led by Juan de Grijalva and Alfonso Álvarez de Pineda.

A few years later, Francisco de Garay, governor of Jamaica, wanted to take all the lands north of the Panuco River, so he had a confrontation with Hernán Cortés.

Later, Cortés took control of the area and began to successfully conquer the Huasteca towns.

But once Cortés consolidated his control over San Luis Potosí, he left these lands and headed for Mexico City.

As a consequence, by 1526 this region had fallen into the hands of its enemy: the conqueror Nuno de Guzmán. Guzmán held the position of governor.

During the Conquest, the success of the new settlements had to do with the discovery of precious metals and stones.

In San Luis Potosí a large deposit of silver was found in 1592, specifically in the Cerro de San Pedro.

By the end of the 16th century the city was known as San Luis Minas del Potosí and consisted of a main square with 19 building blocks around it.

These mines began to decline in 1620, but the city was established enough to remain one of the most important in Mexico.

XIX century

By the 19th century, a fraction of Creoles were part of a conspiracy against the Spanish crown.

Many locals played an important role in defending the sovereignty of the new nation, including Anacleto Moreno, Nicolás Zapata and José Mariano Jiménez.

However, the presence of Félix María Calleja del Rey, loyal to Spain, ruined the insurrection project.

When the War of Independence ended, the state of San Luis Potosí became one of the states of Mexico, in 1826.

This territory was considerably involved in political conflicts when France tried to invade Mexico. Many natives of San Luis Potosí participated in these events.

During this time, San Luis Potosí was known for its luxurious homes and imported luxury products.

San Luis Potosí served twice as the seat of government in the Benito Juárez government, during the French intervention of the 1860s.

At the end of this century the train system was introduced and there were large investments in the mining industry.

Mexican Revolution

Dictator Porfirio Díaz had his liberal opponent Francisco Madero imprisoned in San Luis Potosí during the presidential campaign of 1910. When the election took place, Madero was released.

Once free, Madero created his Plan of San Luis Potosí, a strategy to end the Diaz presidency.

He later declared the election illegal, proclaimed himself provisional president, and designated November 20 as the day that Mexico rose up against its oppressors. This was the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.

Today San Luis Potosí continues to be a rich mining center where gold, silver and copper are exploited. It is also an agricultural region and an important center for melting metals and refining crude.

References

1. Guachichil. Recovered from revolvy.com
2. San Luis Potosi. Recovered from explorandomexico.com
3. Huastec. Recovered from britannica.com
4. Chichimeca. Recovered from wikipedia.org
5. San Luis Potosi. Recovered from britannica.com
6. San Luis Potosi - history. Recovered from lonelyplanet.com