Presented in an easy-to-follow chronological framework, this thorough and insightful survey offers a complete historical account of colonial Mexico from the period preceding European contact through the wars of independence in the early nineteenth century. Emphasizing regional diversity and development, it skillfully combines existing knowledge with the most recent scholarship in the field, guiding readers through Mexico's three centuries of colonial rule, and bringing history to life through the experiences of Mexico's indigenous peoples before, during and after the Spanish conquest. Considers the peoples and cultures who inhabited Mesoamerica before the arrival of Europeans; the Spanish conquest and subsequent c lashes and interactions among groups; the precocious economic and institutional development of the Kingdom of New Spain; the expansion of Hispanic society and culture from central Mexico into more remote areas; the growing complexity of society and economy over the centuries of Spanish rule. Presents intriguing recent trends in study, including the use of indigenous-produced documents and texts to study sociopolitical structures, language patterns, gender roles, economic activities and cultural change and continuity among Indian groups during the colonial period. For historians and general readers who wish to learn more of Mexico's early history and development.