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***[Mexico: A Nation is Born]{.underline}***

***[ACTIVITY]{.underline}***

**[Part I - Mexico]{.underline}**

\- Read "A Brief History of Mexico" (**Master Page VII - 3**) with the
class. Follow up with a subjective discussion, encouraging students to
express their opinions and experiences. Use the following questions as a
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-   What is a Mexican? How did they get their name?

-   What do you think about the Aztecs? Would you have liked to be an
    Aztec? How about one of their enemies?

-   Do you think that Cortes did a good thing when he conquered the
    Aztecs? If you were in Cortes' shoes, what would you have done?

-   What is a *mestizo*? Do you know any *mestizo* people?

-   Why did the people get mad at Spain? Were they right to fight them?

-   What happened after the War of Independence? Did the people do well
    after that?

**[Part II - The Mexican-Americans]{.underline}**

\- Discuss: What is a Mexican-American? Are any of the students
Mexican-American, or do they know any?

\- List on the blackboard the following categories**: Food, Dance,
Music, Slang Language, Famous People** and **Other**.

\- Brainstorm, writing ideas on the board: What kind of things are
distinctly Mexican-American? (Make sure there are as many items as
students.)

A few examples:

> **Food:** enchiladas, tacos, burritos, nachos, tostadas, salsa and
> chips
>
> **Dance:** quebradita, cumbias (salsa), corridos, Tex-Mex
>
> **Music:** NorteÄo (conjunto), Tex-Mex
>
> **Slang Language:** *A toda madre*- great, *chicano-* a
> Mexican-American; *lonchar* - to lunch; *Asi na-asi* (like this);
> *Chula / chulo*- cutie; *vato / vata*- guy / gal
>
> **Famous People:** Freddy Fender, Jose Jose, Jimmy Smites, Paul
> Rodriguez, Linda Ronstadt, Cheech Marin.
>
> **Other:** lowriders, fiestas, maquiladora

\- Assign each student one of the listed items. Ask them to write one or
more sentences describing or defining it, using index cards. Place all
the cards (definition cards) into a hat or other container from which to
draw (as if in a contest).

\- Play a variation of "Jeopardy." Divide the class into two to four
teams. Starting with team one, have one of the students select one of
the definition cards and read it out loud. His or her team then has five
to ten seconds to answer in "Jeopardy" format, "What is. . . ?" If after
the alloted time period they are unable to answer, the other teams may
do so. (Correct answers are worth 5 points). Repeat this process in
rotation, allowing a different team and a different student to select
and attempt to answer a definition card.

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**[A BRIEF HISTORY OF MEXICO]{.underline}**

Before the arrival of Columbus in 1492, the people of Mexico came from
hundreds of different kinds of Indian tribes. One of the biggest tribes,
the Aztecs, however, were a warring people and conquered many of their
neighbors. By the 1500s they were the most powerful people in the
central part of the country. The Aztecs, who called themselves "Mexica,"
created a rich and powerful empire. They built pyramids, aqueducts, huge
homes, parks and even zoos. They were artists, astronomers, engineers
and architects. Yet many Indian peoples of Mexico hated and feared the
Aztecs. The Aztecs believed that to keep the sun moving across the sky,
they had to offer their Gods something that moved. They chose the
beating heart and used the people from conquered tribes for their
sacrifice. Human sacrifice became a regular ritual, removing the heart
while the victims were still alive!

In 1519 the Spanish explorer Cortes arrived in Mexico. He was known as
reckless and generous, and made friends with the Aztec's enemies. A
strong Catholic, Cortes soon conquered the Aztecs, did away with human
sacrifice and replaced their idols with the Christian cross.

After Cortes' arrival in 1521, Mexico and other Central American
countries were ruled by Spain. Many Europeans and Indians married, and
their children became known as "*mestizos*". The Spanish and *mestizo*
therefore, were the first European people to settle in the area known as
the Pimeria Alta, then a part of Mexico.

The Spanish continued to rule Mexico for three centuries during which
the king was supreme. He had viceroys (governors) to carry out his laws,
and chosen officials watched over the church and controled trade routes.
At first, the people were excited and loyal to the Spanish King, but the
Spanish never taught the Mexican and Central Americans how to govern
themselves. The people felt that they were treated unfairly and that
Spain had taken away all their power. They wanted to be free from the
king and his officials. People disagreed about the way the government
was run, and soon people of different regions began to fight with each
other and with Spain.

In the 19th century, most Mexican and Central American countries
revolted and separated from Spain. On September 16, 1810, Father Miguel
Hidalgo, Jose Maria Morelos and others cried out for freedom and started
a revolt against Spain. After ten years they got their independence in
1821, but the War of Independence continued into the late 1820's. Spain
lost her control and Mexico, a new nation was born.

After the War of Independence, Mexico had a number of rulers,
governments and revolts. Agustin de Iturbide declared himself Emperor of
Mexico in 1824 only to be replaced within the year by President
Guadalupe Victoria. Although Victoria tried, Mexico's problems were many
and his vice president led a revolt three years later. Gomez Pedraza won
the presidency but, like Victoria, only lasted a few years until he was
overthrown and replaced by General Santa Anna and his rebels.

Santa Anna governed for thirty years, sometime, ruling as president and
other times with puppet-like politicians to do his work. Santa Anna,
however, was not able to control the country and the people revolted
again. With victory in 1857 they elected Benito Juarez, a full-blooded
Indian to be their President. Political problems continued under Benito
Juarez until powerful people from Britain, France and Spain stepped in
to start the War of Reform in 1861. Even though the Mexicans won an
important battle on May 5, 1862 (celebrated as Cinco de Mayo), the
foreigners finally won and Maximilian from France became Emperor, only
to be captured and executed in 1867. Juarez once again took power until
his death and was eventually replaced by General Porfirio Diaz who ruled
until 1909. But Diaz' government did not represent the poor peasants and
in1911 they rebelled again.

The Mexican Revolution from 1911-1917, attempted to put the peasants in
power and brought the first constitution to guarantee the rights of
women, workers, Indians and other groups in 1917. The revolution,
(celebrated as *Diciseis de* Septiembre), had many heros including
Francisco Madero, Venustiano Carranza, Alvaro Obregon, Emiliano Zapata,
and the most colorful of them all, Pancho Villa. The names of these
heros are commonly seen in Mexican city streets and parks.

Since the Mexican Revolution, Mexico continues to struggle for a
government that will give them a better way of life. But like the past,
problems are many and progress is slow. But more and more people are
educated now and the common people have more of a voice. They are making
the changes needed, making Mexico the proud and

and colorful nation that it is today.
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