Confiscation, economy and urban structure of Mexico City during the 19th century

1854-1876

Abstract

The 19th century represented an important turning point in urban development worldwide; many of the most important cities grew and consolidated during this century and the case of Mexico is no exception. It was during this century that, in many of the Mexican cities, a process was experienced that meant a radical change in the forms of territorial property and these, in turn, contributed to generating changes in the economic activities of the affected populations. The process we are referring to was the Confiscation of community assets and in this paper we intend to analyze how Mexico City, from the second half of the 19th century, was transformed at the same time that commerce and production were also transformed.