This section explores life during the twilight of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It touches on the impact of piracy on commercial activities and examines the background and causes of the War of Independence, focusing on the early conspiracies that ignited the movement.

It also highlights key aspects of the final years of colonial rule, such as economic and social inequality; the criollos' proposal for an autonomous government through the Mexico City Council; the removal of Viceroy Iturrigaray; and the Querétaro Conspiracy, which, among other events, set the stage for the War of Independence.

This section covers the beginnings of the struggle for independence, including the famous "Grito de Dolores" proclaimed at dawn on September 16, 1810; the formation of Hidalgo’s army and its military campaign; the assault on the Alhóndiga de Granaditas; and the Battle of Monte de las Cruces. It also features the historic meeting between Hidalgo and Morelos, in which the latter was commissioned to spread the insurrection to the south.

After Hidalgo’s death, leadership of the insurgent movement passed to Ignacio López Rayón and later to José María Morelos. This section features scenes from the Siege of Cuautla, the Congress of Chilpancingo, the drafting of the Constitution of Apatzingán, and the trial and execution of Morelos. It also highlights the contributions of other key figures such as Nicolás Bravo, Vicente Guerrero, and the Spanish supporter Xavier Mina.

This area showcases the most significant events that led to the end of colonial rule: the alliance between Iturbide and Guerrero, the triumphant entry of the Army of the Three Guarantees into Mexico City in September 1821, and the crowning of Iturbide as Emperor of Mexico.

This exhibit presents the Constituent Congress and the Constitution of 1824, which established Mexico as a representative, popular, and federal republic, with executive and legislative branches, divided into states and a Federal District, and with Catholicism as the official religion.

It also covers the final battles against Spanish occupation: in 1825, due to Spain’s refusal to evacuate the San Juan de Ulúa fortress, and in 1829, during Spain’s failed attempt to reconquer Mexico. The section closes with the Battle of the Alamo in March 1836, during the Texas War of Independence.

This section recounts the war that resulted in Mexico’s defeat and the loss of over half its territory through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Major military actions such as the Battles of La Angostura and Churubusco, and the storming of Chapultepec Castle on September 13, 1847, are prominently illustrated.

This section covers the fall of Santa Anna through the Plan of Ayutla, the enactment of the Reform Laws, the liberal Constitution of 1857, and the War of Reform or Three Years' War, which ended in the liberals' victory in December 1860.

It also features the 1857 Constitution, drafted by a Constituent Congress and signed by then-deputy Valentín Gómez Farías, which abolished military and religious privileges and formally separated Church and State.

Highlights include the diorama “The Brave Do Not Kill,” showing Guillermo Prieto saving President Benito Juárez, the Battle of Calpulalpan that marked the war's end, and the assassination of liberal leader Melchor Ocampo.

This section presents the French Intervention, triggered by Mexico’s suspension of debt payments. It features the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which Mexican forces temporarily repelled the French. However, the following year, a reinforced French army captured Mexico City, forcing President Juárez to move his government continuously.

With support from conservative factions, the French established a monarchy led by Maximilian and Carlota. Their empire lasted from 1864 until Maximilian’s execution in 1867 at Cerro de las Campanas, near Querétaro.

The execution of Maximilian marked the triumph of the liberal cause and the beginning of a period of political stability, during which various liberal reforms were implemented.

This section discusses the presidency of Benito Juárez, who promoted educational and legal reforms, and the rise of Porfirio Díaz, who came to power through the Plan of Tuxtepec in 1876, originally advocating “no reelection”—a principle he later abandoned.

Known as the Porfiriato (1876–1911), this era brought political stability, economic and technological growth, but also widespread land concentration, worsening conditions for workers and peasants, and increased authoritarianism, resulting in the suppression of democratic participation.

These were times of both progress and repression—an era that modernized Mexico economically, but at the cost of democracy and civil liberties.

Despite economic development, this period saw deepening economic and social inequality. The lack of democracy, justice, and freedom led to growing unrest and protests from various sectors of society.

This section discusses political repression and censorship, as seen in the persecution of regime opponents and the suppression of critical newspapers such as "El Monitor Republicano", "El Hijo del Ahuizote", and "El Diario del Hogar". In contrast, pro-government publications like El Imparcial praised the regime's achievements and concealed social injustices.

Labor abuses gave rise to the famous strikes of Cananea and Río Blanco, which exposed the harsh conditions and lack of workers’ rights under Díaz’s rule.

This section explores the revolution sparked by Francisco I. Madero’s call for democracy in November 1910. Beyond political change, the Revolution sought land reform, labor rights, and social justice.

Highlights include dioramas depicting Madero’s arrival in Mexico City, the Zapatista movement and its Plan de Ayala, the Decena Trágica (Ten Tragic Days), and the Battle of Zacatecas, led by Francisco Villa and his División del Norte—an important victory that paved the way for the constitutionalist advance toward the capital.

This final section covers the concluding events of the Revolution, including the Battle of Celaya and the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution. Convened by Venustiano Carranza to reform the 1857 charter, the new Constitution was enacted on February 5, 1917, in Querétaro’s Teatro Iturbide.

This landmark document embodied the ideals of peace, democracy, justice, and liberty, and introduced major reforms in education, land rights, labor laws, and public health.