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Modern Mexico
Discussion/Reading Suggestions

Quiz #1: January 22

Human Tradition, Introduction and Chapter 1

Primary Documents Mexican History: 25, 30, 31

• Why does Jeffrey Pilcher use a subway map metaphor to describe the complexities of Mexican history in the Introduction of Human Tradition? According to Pilcher, what kind of people do the biographies in the book depict? How does he discuss concepts like “common citizenship” and “Mexican nationalism” and “modernization?”
• How does Pilcher define “Human Tradition” in his Introduction? In your opinion, how useful is this concept in the study of a region’s or nation’s history? What types of themes does he introduce that will be an important part of the Mexican history in the book?
• What is Linda Curcio-Nagy’s main argument about Doña Josefa in Chapter 1 of the Human Tradition book? Who was Doña Josefa and how did she become well-known? Why were her actions considered “scandalous” in late colonial Mexico? How did colonial authorities attempt to deal with her “scandalous behavior?”
• What does Doña Josefa’s story illustrate about the important role of the Catholic Church in colonial Mexico? What does her story reveal about the nature of social class?
• What is the nature of the document in Source 25 in the Mexican History reader? What was the Cofradía of the Holy Sacrament and what kind of legal conflict is outlined in the document? What does this document illustrate about ethnicity and social standing in colonial Mexico? How does it help you understand the nature of legally-recognized groups?
• What is the nature of the document in Source 30 in the Mexican History reader? What do the editors mean by using the title “Mexico’s Paradoxical Enlightenment?” What was the origin of the Gazeta de México? What types of information did the Gazeta provide? How can this document help you understand society in late colonial Mexico?
• What is the nature of the document in Source 31 in the Mexican History reader? What were casta paintings? What was their purpose and what did they depict? What is your impression of the two examples included in the source? How do the paintings depict race and race mixing? Aside from color, what markers of ethnicity are evident in the images? What is your impression of the distinct gender roles portrayed for men and women in the paintings?

Quiz #2: January 29

Human Tradition, Chapter 2

Primary Documents Mexican History: 32, 33, 34

• What is Karen Racine's main argument in Chapter 2 of Human Tradition?
• Who was Fray Servando Teresa de Mier and what role did he play in Mexico's Wars of Independence?  How does Mier represent typical Creole animosity toward Spanish rule?
• How did Mier initially express his resentment?  What main points did he outline in his famous sermon?  How was this sermon an expression of "Mexican autonomy?"
• In what types of activities did Mier participate while in Spain?  How do these activities illustrate his rebellious and (Mexican) patriotic nature?  How did he contribute to the debates over American representation in Spain?
• How did Mier contribute to the Independence effort?  What type of government did he want for Mexico after independence?
• Who was Lucas Alaman and what is the nature of his document?  How does he describe Miguel Hidalgo's army and revolution?  Considering the understandable bias in his account, how can this document be used as a historical source?  What does it reveal about the independence movement?  What does it reveal about the tensions between competing factions within Mexico?
• Who was Jose Maria Morelos and what was the purpose of his "Sentiments of the Nation?"  What signs can you identify of the colonial heritage within the document?  What indications are there that Mexicans were ready for a change?  What seem to be the nature of most of Morelos's grievances?  What implications does this document have for the independence movement?
• Who was Jose Joaquin Fernandez de Lizardi and what is the nature of his document? What kinds of scenes are described in the excerpt of his novel? Why does the editor label this “A Satirical View of Colonial Society?” What aspects of colonial society seem to be represented in the reading? What is the significance of the emphasis on the medical field? How might this excerpt serve as a critique of colonial society? How do you imagine readers might have reacted to this piece?

Quiz #3: February 5

Human Tradition, Chapter 3

Primary Documents Mexican History: 36, 39

• What is Pedro Santoni's main argument in Chapter 3 of Human Tradition? 
• Who was Lucas Balderas and what does he represent in 19th century Mexican history?
• What role did Masonic lodges play in the political wranglings of 19th century politicians?  How did Balderas participate in that system?
• How does Santoni demonstrate that non-elite Mexicans participated in shaping the nation after independence?  How did their actions affect larger events (such as the U.S. invasion)?
• What was Balderas's involvement in the Mexican military?  How and why did he become such an important national hero?
• What is the nature of the “Caudillo Rule” document by Santa Anna? How does Santa Anna describe Iturbide? How does he describe his own interactions with Iturbide and his reactions to the establishment of the emperor? How does he describe the Spanish invasion? According to his account, what was his contribution to the efforts to repel the Spanish? How does Santa Anna portray himself in this excerpt? How does he describe his patriotism? What signs of bias can you see? How can this source be used as a historical document?
• What is the nature of the “Mexican Views of the Mexican-American War” document? What does the author consider to be the “true origin” of the war? How does the author describe U.S. interests in the 19^th century? How does this account differ from U.S. perspectives of the war?

Quiz #4: February 12

Viva Mexico! Chapter 5 (E-Reserve)
Human Tradition, Chapter 4

Primary Documents Mexican History: 42, 43

• What does Javier Rodriguez Pina argue about Conservative meanings of independence in Chapter 5 of Viva Mexico?  What sources does he use and why is that important?
• How did the debates over independence evolve?  How did Conservatives view Hidalgo's independence movement and how did Liberals view Iturbide's plan for independence and why?  How do independence celebrations help us understand the nature of the conflict between Liberals and Conservatives?
• How did the Conservative Mexican press contribute to the debate over independence?
• In your assessment, why was there such a heated debate between Liberals and Conservatives over independence?  What did each side feel independence represented for the country?
• What is David Coffey and Eugenia Roldan Vera's main argument in chapter 4 of Human Tradition? 
• Who were the Salm-Salms and what role did they play in Mexico during the French intervention?  Who was Jimmy and what was his role?
• Why was Agnes Salm-Salm unable to plan Maximilian's escape after he was imprisoned?  What plan did Agnes have in mind?
• Why is it important to study figures like Agnes Salm-Salm in the context of broader national events?  What does her story tell us about the era of the French intervention?
• What is the nature of the corporate property law in document 42? How does the law define “corporation” and how does the document illustrate the liberal platform in the 1850s? How do the authors of the document justify the new land redistribution legislation? Which aspects of the law seem problematic? Why did this law eventually contribute to the tensions that led to civil war?
• What is the nature of document 43? Why did Conservatives believe that a monarchy the political system best suited for Mexico?  Why did they believe that it was necessary to look beyond the nation's borders for a monarch?  What evidence of bias exists in the document?  What signs of the conservative platform can you identify?

Quiz #5: February 19

Human Tradition, Chapter 6

Primary Documents Mexican History: 45, 46, 50, 51

• What is Glen David Kuecker's thesis in Chapter 6 of Human Tradition?  Who was Alejandro Prieto and what role did he play in Tamaulipas during the Porfiriato?
• How did Prieto's life mirror important trends in Mexico throughout the latter half of the 19th century?
• What are some specific projects Prieto planned to modernize his local area and contribute to the Porfirian ideal?  How successful were his efforts?  What challenges did he face?
• What does Prieto's local example illustrate about general national trends during the Porfiriato?
• Who was Matias Romero Avendaño and what is the nature of his “Letter to Striking Workers?” What position does he take in the letter? From the references he makes to worker demands, what do you know about the way the striking workers framed their position? What kinds of arguments does Romero use to underline his point that the government should not interfere? What does this document illustrate about the nature of the Porfiriato?
• Who was Horacio Barreda and what is the nature of his document on positivism and feminism in Mexico? How does his discussion of gender roles illustrate the positivist stance on deterministic progress? Why does he consider Mexican women particularly prepared to embrace positivist education? How does he define “feminism” in Mexico according to positivist ideals? What other signs of positivist thought are present in the document?
• Who was Jose Guadalupe Posada and how does the book describe his calaveras and broadsheets? What seems to be the central message of each illustration? What themes of nineteenth century Mexico are prominent in the illustrations? How do you imagine government leaders and the general public would have responded to these images?
• How do the authors describe corridos in document 51? What kinds of themes are represented in the corridos in this selection? How do the corridos illustrate the culture of the Porfiriato? What kinds of contradictions can you see between the two corridos? Similarities? How can you use the images and the lyrics as historical sources?

Quiz #6: March 3

Primary Documents Mexican History: 49, 52

“Creelman Interview” (E-Reserve 2)

“Pedro Crespo” (E-Reserve 3)

• How does James Creelman describe Porfirio Diaz (in terms of his physical appearance, leadership style, heroic persona)?  What does his description indicate about foreigners' perceptions of Mexico?  How has this perception changed during Diaz's regime?  What evidence do you see in Creelman's description of Mexico that the country has experienced a period of seeming progress? 
• How does Diaz describe his political philosophy?  Do his statements surprise you?  How does he describe the differences between Mexican and U.S. democracy?  How does he describe Mexican Indians?  What does this illustrate about the Liberal/Positivist attitudes toward society?  What does he see as the role of education?  How does Diaz explain his decision to retire from the presidency?
• Consider source 52 from the Mexico Reader. How does the Plan de San Luis Potosi attempt to appeal to various revolutionary interests? How does it help you to understand the various rebellions that emerged against Madero?

Quiz #7: March 12

Brandt, “Pancho Villa” (E-Reserve 4)

Primary Documents Mexican History: 54, 55, 56

• What is Nancy Brandt’s main argument about Pancho Villa in the E-Reserve article? How did the legend of Villa proliferate? What impression did U.S. officials have of Villa in the early years of the Revolution? How did those impressions change?
• What role did the U.S. press play in creating the legend of Pancho Villa? Why was the American public so interested in the revolutionary leader? How/why did press coverage of Villa change? What does Brandt say about John Reed and other writers?
• What other means of communication did Villa use to create his legend? How did he use technology in his public relations strategies? How does this portrayal of Villa help us understand his philosophy in the Traditional-Urban sector of the revolution?
• What is the nature of the three articles included in Source 54 from the Constitution of 1917? How does Article 27 address the government’s rights over land tenure? How does Article 27 compare to land reform laws during the era of La Reforma and the Porfiriato? How does the article attempt to address the land tenure concerns of the Zapatistas and other revolutionaries? What are the labor reform stipulations included in Article 123? Which revolutionary faction(s) was this article intended to satisfy? What is the nature of Article 130? What restrictions does it place on the Church and members of the clergy? How does it grant the government authority over the Church? What is the stipulation regarding Church property? Overall, how do the articles illustrate the convergence of 19^th century and 20^th century liberalism? How do they illustrate the nationalistic nature of the Mexican Revolution? How do they illustrate continued divisions among revolutionary factions?
• What is the nature of the revolutionary corridos in Source 55? How do the folk songs portray the Convention of Queretaro and the assassination of Zapata?
• What is the nature of Source 56? How does the source reflect the position of the Catholic Church in the face of constitutional reform?

Quiz #8: March 31

Human Tradition, Chapter 10

Primary Documents Mexican History: 57, 58, 59

• What is Anne Rubenstein's thesis in Chapter 10 of Human Tradition?  Who was Nahui Olin and what did she represent in Mexico's revolutionary era?
• What was Nahui's social upbringing?  Why did she change her name?  How did her artistic style evolve?
• In which aspects of Nahui's life can you see evidence of limitations placed on women by society?  In which aspects of her life can you see evidence of her challenging those limitations?
• How are new revolutionary cultural trends represented in Nahui's life?
• Consider Source #57 from the Mexican History reader. What is the nature of the petitions to the president? What issues do letters writers address in their petitions? How do their requests reflect ideas about revolutionary reform? What do they suggest about how reforms were or were not being implemented? What do they suggest about the interest groups that seemed likely to support individual leaders?
• Consider Source #58 from the Mexican History reader. How does Calles present the idea of the “revolutionary family?” How does this fit within the context of the creation of the revolutionary political party? How does he address the factions or interest groups that become component parts of the new party? What signs does the document give to indicate that Calles was concerned about achieving national unity?
• Consider Source #59 from the Mexican History reader. Who is the author and what seems to be the main argument? How does the document define feminism? How does the document support an argument for a feminist agenda? How does the document tie feminist arguments to the legacy of the revolution?

Quiz #9: April 7

Human Tradition, Chapter 12

Primary Documents Mexican History: 61, 63

E-Reserve #6 “La Ropa Cosmica”

E-Reserve #7, WWII documents

• What is Andrew Wood's main argument in Chapter 12 of Human Tradition?  Who were Maria Felix and Agustin Lara and how do they represent Mexico's move toward modernization?
• How do the careers of Maria Felix and Agustin Lara reflect the emergence of an entertainment industry in Mexico in the 1930s and 1940s?  What kinds of messages were portrayed in the films produced by the two?  How does this demonstrate the powerful influence mass media held over national and moral identities?
• How did their careers and their relationship reinforce traditional gender roles in Mexican society?  How did they challenge existing gender roles?
• What is the nature of the Cardenas address in Source #61 of the Mexican History reader? How does he describe the objectives of the oil companies? How does he describe the attitudes of those companies toward Mexico? What kind of language does he use to illustrate his point? How does he tie the issue of oil to Mexico’s internal problems? What are your observations of the photographs? Are there any differences between photos of accommodations for foreigners compared to the conditions for Mexican workers? How does Cardenas describe the government arbitration process? How does he refute the argument that the oil companies have brought social improvements to Mexico? What evidence of revolutionary rhetoric can you see in the document? How does Cardenas attempt to generate a sense of nationalism?
• Consider Source #63 from the Mexican History reader. What are the concerns of the Sinarquista group in the first letter? What impression does the Bracero letter give you of the treatment of Mexican workers in the United States? Are there any aspects of the letters that surprise you? What do the letters indicate about the ways in which Mexico was changing during the 1940s?
• Who is the author of “La Ropa Cosmica” and why is she so awesome? How does the article define “La Ropa Cosmica?” What broad 1940s trends in Mexico does the style represent?
• What is the nature of the WWII documents? Who wrote them and for what purpose? How do those documents talk about WWII? How do they talk about the revolution? How did the authors of those documents try to connect the revolution and WWII? To what end?

Quiz #10: April 14

Human Tradition, Chapter 13

Primary Documents Mexican History: 64, 65

• Who was Josefina Velazquez de Leon and what does Jeffrey Pilcher argue about her in Chapter 13 of Human Tradition?  How did food bring a sense of national identity and unity to Mexico after WWII?  How was she tied to the growth of mass media?  How do you see indigenismo and a reversion to Mexican traditions in her culinary activities?
• How does Josefina represent changing gender roles in Mexico after WWII?  How did she encourage other women to challenge tradition?  How did she reinforce tradition?
• Consider Source #64 from the Mexican History reader. Who is Iturriaga and what are his main points about Mexican society in the first half of the twentieth century? How does he explain the shifting of the nation’s population to urban areas? What does he consider to be the main causes of the weakening of the family? What connections can you make between Iturriaga’s sociological observations and the policies embraced in Mexico’s post-revolutionary era?
• What are your impressions of the “Official History” excerpt? Why does the author insist that children should study history? What is the main point of the lessons included in the excerpt?

Quiz #11: April 21

Human Tradition, Chapter 14

Primary Documents Mexican History: 68, 69, 70

• Who is Armando Nava and what does Eric Zolov argue about him in Chapter 14 of Human Tradition?
• How was Rock 'n' Roll introduced into Mexico and what role did it play in the political and cultural development of the country?  How did Mexican artists "refry" American music?  Why did many artists resort to playing music in English?
• What is "la onda" and why is it important in understand Mexican youth counterculture in the 1960s?  How did Mexico's youth apply their new cultural trends to the larger social and political structure of the country?
• What was "Avandaro" and why is it important in Eric Zolov's argument?  How does is represent the clash between Mexico's conservative patriarchal social structure and a new "onda" of youth counterculture?
• How does Chapter 14 inform various topics we have covered in lecture - for example: urbanization, challenges to the PRI, influence from the United States, the growth of the Middle Class, etc.
• Consider Source #68 from the Mexican History reader. How do the eyewitness accounts and news articles illustrate the impact the student massacre had on Mexico in the late 1960s?

Quiz #12: April 28

Human Tradition, Chapter 15

Primary Documents Mexican History: 71, 72, 73, 75

• What is Jose Orozco's main argument about tequila in Chapter 15 of Human Tradition?  Who is Gabriel Espindola Martinez and what is his role in tequila "culture?"
• According to Espindola, what is the best way to drink tequila?  Why?  Why does he not recommend using salt and lime?  What is the difference between 100 percent blue agave tequila and mixtos?  
• How does tequila production (and Espindola's role in tequila production) inform themes being discussed in lecture?  
• Consider Source #71 from the Mexican History reader. What insights does the interview provide into the nature of the urban poor/working class and the government’s handling of the earthquake?
• Consider Source #73 from the Mexican History reader. How did the citizens of Tepoztlan react to Salinas de Gortari’s 1992 Agrarian Law?