View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Trotsky, what should happen if the Revolution does not break out in advanced nations following World War II?
(a) Socialism should be abandoned altogether.
(b) The Marxist view of economics should be revised.
(c) Socialism should be forced on those nations.
(d) The Marxist view of history should be revised.

2. How did the Aztecs' final struggle manifest itself?
(a) In suicide.
(b) As the last battle.
(c) In destruction of their own property.
(d) In silence.

3. What was the Mexican intellectual's goal?
(a) Political action.
(b) Cultural education.
(c) Propagation of the arts.
(d) Educational reform.

4. According to Jorge Cuesta, how has Mexico created herself?
(a) With no regard for the common people.
(b) In opposition to her past.
(c) With an eye toward preventing civil war.
(d) In agreement with her past.

5. What important circumstance did early revolutionary governments not take into account?
(a) Expansion of cities.
(b) Natural resources.
(c) Population growth.
(d) Desertion of rural areas.

6. During the Revolution, whom did the intelligentsia make the focal point of its activities?
(a) Their new leaders.
(b) Itself.
(c) The new poets.
(d) The common people.

7. Who were the last people to enter the Valley of Mexico?
(a) Mexicans.
(b) Spaniards.
(c) Nahuatls.
(d) Aztecs.

8. What did the Spaniards find when they arrived in South America?
(a) Scattered groups of people.
(b) A single ruling power.
(c) Uneducated, struggling clans.
(d) Autonomous, refined civilizations.

9. In Paz's argument, how have tradition and religion always been presented to the Mexicans?
(a) As things that stifle their individuality.
(b) As things leading to their spiritual salvation.
(c) As things that will solidify their national identity.
(d) As things to be held lightly or discarded.

10. What happened to the people annexed by greater world powers?
(a) They became passive in the world sphere.
(b) The material gains that they made balanced the loss of voice.
(c) They became more active in the world sphere.
(d) They were forgotten.

11. What has history demonstrated through certain Contra authors such as Isaac Deutscher?
(a) It is extremely difficult for one class to make advancements for itself.
(b) Once abundance is achieved, the state will become democratic.
(c) Once abundance is achieved, the state will become socialistic.
(d) No class ever voluntarily gives up its privileges.

12. According to Paz, what philosophical fact defines much of Mexico's history?
(a) The people adopted ideas, but did not invent their own.
(b) They had only two great thinkers.
(c) They overturned several of Spain's philosophical treatises.
(d) The people adopted some ideas and invented others.

13. What has happened to the former plurality of ideas and customs? (Chapter Seven).
(a) It has been replaced by a single civilization.
(b) It has splintered into even more segments.
(c) They have become richer.
(d) It has grown to accommodate special-interest groups.

14. What event precipitated Spain's complete loss of power?
(a) Her faith losing all potency.
(b) The loss of her naval supremacy.
(c) Her strong monarch's death.
(d) Mexico's revolt against her.

15. Why is a study of colonialism important in understanding Mexican history?
(a) The nation was founded through a peaceful Spanish immersion into Indian culture.
(b) The nation was founded by a Spanish conquest of Indians.
(c) The nation began through the colonization of several surrounding nations.
(d) The nation's beginnings were heavily influenced by North Americans.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Vasconcelos' philosophy regarding the material world?

2. What was an important element of all ancient cultures?

3. Which of the following created the Spanish monarchy?

4. Why was Diaz's regime in a precarious position regarding positivist philosophy?

5. In Jose Gaos' thought, what unique opportunity do young people have through their education?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 660 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample