Courtesy of Hulton Archive

History behind machismo:

The glorification of the male in Mexican culture dates back to the 16^th century.  The definitions and development of machismo is intertwined with nationalism, racism, and international relations.  The of male dominance attitude was transferred by the conquistadors and then assimilated into the culture of the Aztecs. These cultures viewed men to be superior in intellectual, physical, and spiritual aspects of life. These traditions combined with the practices of Indian tribes helped build the foundation for the stereotyped view of the Mexican macho.

Changes over time…