SPAN 307: Reflective Narrative
I studied twelve years in Mexico. When I took Span 307 I was thinking that it would have nothing interesting to learn. Then I discovered that Mexican history is a big unknown territory to discover.
This course took us trough the history of Mexico and helped us to understand how our country has been part of an incredible evolution of government systems during every historical stage. The odyssey started in the ancient world of the pre-Hispanic civilizations. We explored the world of Olmec, Teotihuacan, Mayan and Aztecs civilizations, and we learned how their social structures worked during that time.
Then we learned about the period of the Spanish conquest and how the colonizers changed the social structures to exploit Mexico. We learned about the New Spain commercial system, such as the “encomiendas” that were the main institution in the new country whose main purpose was to exploit the indigenous people and Christianize them.
Our next step was to learn about the process of independence of Mexico. We talked about the main characters that make Mexican freedom possible, such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Jose Maria Morelos, Agustin de Iturbide, Vicente Guerrero, and many other brave men who fought in order to make Mexico an independent country.
The process of Mexico’s legitimatization was our next objective. We discussed the invasions by the United States and France of Mexico and how Mexico dealt with those situations. Also we learned about Benito Juarez and the role of Maximilian of Hapsburg during the process of “La Reforma,” which was the first big movement to create the foundations of Mexican Constitution.
Our following topic was the Mexican Revolution era. We discovered the situation of Mexico during the “Porfiriato,” which was the dictatorship of Gen. Porfirio Diaz. Even though in those days Mexico had a very good economic status, wealth was in just a few hands, and most of the population suffered in misery. The result of this situation was a civil war. The main characters in this new historical episode of Mexico were Francisco I. Madero, Emiliano Zapata, Francisco Villa, Venustiano Carranza, and Alvaro Obregon; however, we learned that the main character in this conflict were Mexican people. They offered their lives for a hope of a better future, and unfortunately, the changes were in just a few specific areas.
Finally we discussed the modern era, the last presidential periods, The NAFTA trade agreement and its consequences, and the situation of a country threatened by “narcotrafico” (drug trafficking) and corruption. We learned about the current democratic system in Mexico and the main political parties.
This course helped us understand the history and politics of Mexico and that helped us understand Mexican culture and idiosyncrasy. ¡Viva Mexico!
This course took us trough the history of Mexico and helped us to understand how our country has been part of an incredible evolution of government systems during every historical stage. The odyssey started in the ancient world of the pre-Hispanic civilizations. We explored the world of Olmec, Teotihuacan, Mayan and Aztecs civilizations, and we learned how their social structures worked during that time.
Then we learned about the period of the Spanish conquest and how the colonizers changed the social structures to exploit Mexico. We learned about the New Spain commercial system, such as the “encomiendas” that were the main institution in the new country whose main purpose was to exploit the indigenous people and Christianize them.
Our next step was to learn about the process of independence of Mexico. We talked about the main characters that make Mexican freedom possible, such as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Jose Maria Morelos, Agustin de Iturbide, Vicente Guerrero, and many other brave men who fought in order to make Mexico an independent country.
The process of Mexico’s legitimatization was our next objective. We discussed the invasions by the United States and France of Mexico and how Mexico dealt with those situations. Also we learned about Benito Juarez and the role of Maximilian of Hapsburg during the process of “La Reforma,” which was the first big movement to create the foundations of Mexican Constitution.
Our following topic was the Mexican Revolution era. We discovered the situation of Mexico during the “Porfiriato,” which was the dictatorship of Gen. Porfirio Diaz. Even though in those days Mexico had a very good economic status, wealth was in just a few hands, and most of the population suffered in misery. The result of this situation was a civil war. The main characters in this new historical episode of Mexico were Francisco I. Madero, Emiliano Zapata, Francisco Villa, Venustiano Carranza, and Alvaro Obregon; however, we learned that the main character in this conflict were Mexican people. They offered their lives for a hope of a better future, and unfortunately, the changes were in just a few specific areas.
Finally we discussed the modern era, the last presidential periods, The NAFTA trade agreement and its consequences, and the situation of a country threatened by “narcotrafico” (drug trafficking) and corruption. We learned about the current democratic system in Mexico and the main political parties.
This course helped us understand the history and politics of Mexico and that helped us understand Mexican culture and idiosyncrasy. ¡Viva Mexico!
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