SPAN 307: History & Politics Of Mex
Course description: Examines Mexico's history and its peoples from indigenous periods to the arrival of Europeans and Spanish colonization including the mission system and rancherías of California, New Mexico, and Colorado. Focuses on the independence movement and Mexico's relationship with the United States during westward expansion. Examines the 20th century by focusing on the Mexican Revolution and the factors which have resulted in continuous northern migration. Taught in English with Spanish readings for Spanish majors.
This course was given by Dr. Gomez and it helped me fulfill MLO 3, literacy and cultural knowledge. I studied in Mexico for five years; I was a eleven years old when my family migrated to the United States. When I registered to this class I felt very excited because I wanted to learn more about my homeland country. This class has gave me a deep knowledge of Mexico's history and pre-Colombian civilizations. During the first section of the class we learned about the indigenous periods. We explored the amazing world of the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Mayan, and Aztecs. We learned about the main civilizations of Mexico and their conquest by the Spaniards. How Hernán Cortés was able to conquer Mexico with the help of La Malinche and other allied tribes, such as the Tlaxcaltecas. How Moctezuma believed in the myth of Quetzalcoatl; the myth stated that God Quetzalcoatl was going to returned through the east, and Cortes entered Tenochtitlan through the east making Moctezuma believe that Cortes was the God Quetzalcoatl and he welcomed him.
I learned that the Spanish conquest brought many changes to the existing civilizations. A new commerce system, a new language, and a new religion was forced in New Spain. The "encomiendas, and "la casa de contrataciones were the main instututions in New Spain. La encomienda which assigned tribe-paying Indians to a Spaniard who had the theoretical obligation to maintain armed men to be mobilized in case of an Indian rebellion. La casa de contrataciones, was an institution that regulated commerce and the navigation between Spain and the New world.
I also learned about the process of Mexico's independence. We studied the main characters of the fight of independence, such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, José María Morelos y Pavón, Agustín de Iturbide, Vicente Guerrero and many others that help Mexico to get its independence. After the independence of Mexico, we analyzed the invasions of the United States that resulted in the loss of more than half of Mexico's territory. We also learned about France invasion and the famous "Batalla de Puebla" celebrated on "5 de mayo".
"La Reforma" was the big liberal movement that created the foundations of Mexico's Constitution and Benito Juarez was played and important role. After the reform, we started to learn about the "Porfiriato" a period that Mexico was ruled by General Porfirio Díaz.
I learned that the Spanish conquest brought many changes to the existing civilizations. A new commerce system, a new language, and a new religion was forced in New Spain. The "encomiendas, and "la casa de contrataciones were the main instututions in New Spain. La encomienda which assigned tribe-paying Indians to a Spaniard who had the theoretical obligation to maintain armed men to be mobilized in case of an Indian rebellion. La casa de contrataciones, was an institution that regulated commerce and the navigation between Spain and the New world.
I also learned about the process of Mexico's independence. We studied the main characters of the fight of independence, such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, José María Morelos y Pavón, Agustín de Iturbide, Vicente Guerrero and many others that help Mexico to get its independence. After the independence of Mexico, we analyzed the invasions of the United States that resulted in the loss of more than half of Mexico's territory. We also learned about France invasion and the famous "Batalla de Puebla" celebrated on "5 de mayo".
"La Reforma" was the big liberal movement that created the foundations of Mexico's Constitution and Benito Juarez was played and important role. After the reform, we started to learn about the "Porfiriato" a period that Mexico was ruled by General Porfirio Díaz.
marquez_d_span307_evidence.pdf |