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Spanish colony 1521-1821
Mexico under Spanish rule.
Cortez was made governor of "New Spain" and began to build a new capital on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, which Cortez had burned to the ground. The new city was laid out in essentially the same grid pattern of the Aztec capital and all of the major plazas were established in locations that had been occupied by Aztec ceremonial centers. The first cathedral (little more than a tiny church by European standards) was built in 1525, and the teaching of Christianity to the native tribes began. Cortez's lust for power and wealth was one of the keys to his success, but would eventually prove to be his downfall.
The Spanish crown, fearing it was losing its sovereignty over New Spain, revoked Cortez title of governor in 1527 and replaced him with a five person ruling council.

1535-Spanish establishes colonia goverment in Mexico.
The 1600's
The seventeenth century saw the spread of Christianity, the spread of Spanish influence and sadly, the uncontrolled spread of European diseases across the New World. Eventually diseases, primarily smallpox, would reduce the native populations by almost 80-90 percent. Despite efforts of the Spanish to reduce deaths among the native tribes, the Indian populations quickly declined and many of the pre-Hispanic cultures were lost forever.
The seventeenth century also saw the establishment of widespread trade between Europe and New Spain. In addition to the trade routes between the Mexican continent, the Caribbean islands, and Spain, trade routes opened on Mexico West coast which allowed trade with China and Japan. The port city of Acapulco was a center for trade with the orient and in 1616 Fort San Diego was established to protect the port. Spain had become the greatest economic power in the world due primarily to the trade opportunities that the conquest of the New World had provided for them. Consequently, the Spanish merchant class grew to be among the most powerful in the new colony. Spain quickly spread across the continent, establishing cities on locations already occupied by native cities.In addition, new cities were established in areas of strategic or economic importance, the most influential of which is Guadalajara.
Spanish influence and settlement quickly spread northward and the regions that are modern day Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California were settled. Christianity spread across the New World as quickly as Spanish influence did, in every city the town cathedral was among the first structures built. The new cathedral in Mexico city was begun in 1616 and was constructed in several phases, the last of which was completed in 1813 with the addition of its baroque style dome.

The 1700's
The eighteenth century proved to be the most stable period in Mexico's post-Hispanic history. The Spanish monarchy sold titles and power to the newly wealthy businessmen (primarily merchants) in Mexico. The titles cost a fortune and led to conflicts of interest within the ruling elite of Mexico, but provided Spain with both money and influence over the colony's ruling class. It also contributed to the growth of the empire. The wealthy nobility of Mexico built elaborate palaces, cathedrals, and plazas in their cities, most of which still exist today. Most of the Catholic churches and government buildings in Mexico were built during this period.

The 1800's
Since its establishment as a colony, Mexico had been under the tight control of the Spanish crown. All high-ranking officials in Mexico were sent from Spain to rule the colony. The creollos, Mexican born descendants of Spanish settlers, had grown wealthy in the booming economy of the 18th century, but were unable to hold political positions higher than the city councils. Industry was prohibited in all but the largest cities, and all industrial goods had to be purchased from Spain. With growing dissent among those with power in Mexico as well deep-seeded resentment of Spanish rule by the natives and peasants, Spain's power over its colony was in question. When Spain was defeated in battle by the British at Trafalgar, it's military dominance in Europe was compromised and eventually Napolean seated a puppet government in control of the much in-debt Spain. The time was ripe for Mexican Independence.