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INTRODUCTION TO MEXICAN CULTURE
STUDY QUESTIONS - CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
MEXICAN REVOLUTION
1. Who was Porfirio Diaz and what steps did he take to impose order and take control of
Mexico?
2. In general, what was the problem with Diaz' modernization of Mexico that eventually led to
his downfall?
3. What political, social, and economic developments in Mexico gave rise to the Revolution of
1910?
4. Explain the role the following men played in the Revolution of 1910: Diaz, Madero, Huerta,
Villa, Zapata, Carranza and Obregon.
5. Identify the main points of the following: Plan of San Luis Potosi, and Plan of Ayala
6. The Mexican Revolution developed in THREE phases. Discuss each phase listing major
events and names of important people involved.
7. Name five enemies of Huerta that played a role in his downfall and what each of them did.
8. What was the Tampico Incident? What role did it play in the Revolution of 1910.
9. Which Mexican president expropriated foreign petroleum interests and how did this help
Mexicans?
10. Who is the President of Mexico today? What is the name of the main political party in
Mexico? How is the government set up?
MEXICAN MURALISTS
11. Explain the statement: The Muralist movement was an artistic, political, social and national
movement.
12. Who were the main "giants" of Mexican muralist and how were they similar and/or different
in their artistic expressions?
13. List the main themes of Muralists artists.
14. Select 1-2 main mural from each muralist, Rivera, Orozco and Siquieros, describe and
explain its significance.
15. Who was Frida Kahlo? What did she do? How did what she did reflect her life?
16. Who was Posada? Why was he influential in the Mexican muralist movement if he wasn’t a
muralist?
VALUES AND TRADITIONS
17. Explain what factors serve to influence the strength of a culture's core values?
18. What is the difference between nuclear, extended and fictive family structures? Give
examples of how these structures work in Mexican families.
19. In terms of Mexican values define, contrast and discuss the terms: Dignidad, Personalismo
and Individualismo. Give examples to show how they are lived.
20. What is meant when we say that there is a strong social status awareness in Latin American
countries. How is it related to the life style of the Spaniard who conquered the New World?
21. How is the "double standard" manifested in Mexican culture?
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22. List and define some of the cultural courtship patterns used in Mexican culture.
23. Define machismo. Give examples as to the role it plays in Mexican culture.
24. What significance does Catholicism have on Mexican Culture?
25. Explain the "cult of Saints" and its effect on Mexican Catholicism.
26. What is the "Day of the Dead"? Why and how is it celebrated? How is death viewed by
many Mexicans and how is it expressed throughout their daily lives? Why is it a main theme
in folklore and folk art.
27. Use the KEEPRAH model to discuss diversity and the assimilation of Mexicans in the United
States.
CURANDERISMO
28. List and explain the various reasons why a person would go to a curandero and not to a
doctor?
29. How does Indian brujos and witchcraft differ from its European version?
30. Curanderos treat specific types of illnesses. Explain the six discussed in class and then relate
the types of curing practices used to treat some of these various illnesses?
MUSIC AND DANCE
31. What three methods are used to study Pre-Colombian music?
32. Summarize the objective conclusions that can be drawn regarding Mexican Indian music
33. How did Indians feel about their musical instruments. Name some of the most common ones
found in all civilizations of Mesoamerica.
34. What instruments were introduced to Mexico following the Conquest? How did the religious
orders use music during the Colonial period?
35. What were the four major contributions to Colonial music made by the Indians?
36. Define "villancicos", their role in Colonial music and give the reason they were at one time
forbidden by Philip II of Spain.
37. From where did Corridos originate? What are the various aspects of a Corrido musically,
geographically and thematically?
38. What is the significance of "La Adelita"?
39. Explain the origin of "mariachis".
40. What are the three main regional dance types recognized in Mexico? Define each and give
their geographical location.
41. What is Mexico's national dance? Explain its origins and its participants.
42. Mexican modern dance rhythms have influenced popular music throughout the world. Which
ones were imported and have been given a unique Mexican cultural style?
43. Discuss how historically Mexican culture has been expressed in its folklore, music, art ETC.
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IDENTIFICATION
Alfaro Siquieros
Huapango
Barrio
James Creelman
Brujo
Jarabe Tapatio
Calaveras
La Llorona
China Poblana
Land and Liberty
Cientificos
Las Mananitas
Clemente Orozco
Las Posadas
Compadres
Lazaro Cardenas
Corridos
Luto
Cult of the Saints
Manda
Curandero
Mollera Caida
Day of the Dead
Padrino
Dia de Santo
Pancho Villa
Diego Rivera
Plan de Ayala
Domingo
Plan de San Luis Potosí
Doroteo Arango
Porfirio Diaz
Ejidos
Quincenera
El paseo
Rurales
Evil Eye
Sobada
Emiliano Zapata
Sobadora
Frida Kahlo
Surrealism
Francisco Madero
Susto
General Pershing
Tampico Incident
Guadalupe Posada
Velorio
Hidalgo complex
Venustiano Carranza
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Victoriano Huerta
Villancicos
Virgen de Guadalupe
Woodrow Wilson
Yolchichic