Essay Of 1968

What makes 1968 such a momentous year for so many? Is it the fact that it touched virtually every person on the entire globe in some form or fashion? Or is it because everyone around the globe was linked together by the progressive chains of change? This new wave of reform hit every nation differently, but elements of it were seen throughout much of the world and Mexico was no different. By hosting the Olympics in ’68, Mexico hoped to establish itself as a stable unified nation that was on par with other enlightened nations of the world. In doing so, Mexico had a lasting effect on the international community in three very different ways: First, was Mexico’s ability to hold such a relatively “peaceful” games during such a turbulent year, followed
The fact that Mexican economy was bustling and booming for the most part was true. However, the gap between rich and poor was wider than ever and the Mexican officials needed to hide this fact from the selection committee in order to achieve victory. Another area that Government needed to focus on was the rising student protest around the capital. Like much of the world, Mexican youth were demonstrating the need for social change and reform. Unlike, many of the student protest around the world, the Mexican students protest was crushed during the Tlatelolco massacre. The reasons for this “violent” action by the government are up for debate, however, most historians conclude that the fear of students disrupting Mexico’s most important event, the Olympics, was the actual cause for such a brutal response from the government. This is owed to the fact that Mexican officials had to uphold the “stable” front that they so deceptively perceived to get the bid. The government of Mexico wanted these games to go off without a hitch and did everything in their power to accomplish such and for the most part it worked. The Games were a success of relative proportion. Not only was this attributed to Mexican “stability”, it was also their bridge to the racial