Final answer:
The problems with Spanish rule in Mexico that allowed dictators to take control after independence included a hierarchical colonial system that favored a small elite, the focus on preserving creole privileges, and a lack of democratic political tradition. These factors led to a concentration of power and instability, hindering the development of a government 'of the people.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The problems with the way the Spanish ruled Mexico, which laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of dictators, stem from its rigid colonial structure that favored a small elite and ignored the needs of the larger population. The Spanish colonial system established a hierarchy that placed peninsulares (those born in Spain) at the top, followed by the criollos (Mexican-born of pure Spanish descent), leaving the majority of the population, including indigenous peoples and mestizos, disenfranchised and impoverished. When Mexico won independence in 1821, the ruling criollos were more interested in retaining their own privileges than in establishing a democratic government of the people as seen in the United States. This is illustrated by Agustín de Iturbide’s Plan de Iguala, which initially laid out a plan for Mexico as a constitutional monarchy, rather than a republic with broad representation. The existing social and economic disparities, along with a lack of political tradition that empowered the disenfranchised majority, allowed for strongmen and dictators to take control in post-independence Mexico.
Mexican Social Order
After centuries of Spanish domination, the Mexican Independence Movement represented an effort by creoles to preserve social hierarchies and their own status. The inherently unequal structure resulted in a society where power was concentrated, and the concept of a representative government had shallow roots. This entrenched system did not foster the conditions necessary for stable, inclusive governance to follow independence, leading to a cycle of revolution and dictatorships, such as the regime of Porfirio Díaz.
The Aftermath of Independence
Following independence, Mexico's leadership often represented narrow interests. The early republic's instability was compounded by internal conflicts between conservative and liberal factions, including the indigenous population and mestizos who had diverse visions for Mexico's future. This internal strife hindered the establishment of a stable, representative government that could have emulated the democratic principles of the United States.