IN 1810, after nearly 300 years of Spanish domination, Mexico proclaimed independence over a territory which stretched from Panama to Oregon.

The central American republics quickly went their own way and, in 1836, Texas also revolted. Following a war with the United States, in which Mexico City was occupied, Mexicans were forced to cede territory which subsequently became California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, as well as parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.