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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did the Mexican Revolution have to begin before the beginning?
(a) In the early 20th Century, Mexico was far behind the advanced world.
(b) The people still held a feudalistic mindset.
(c) The cities were not large enough to house the farmers-turned-workers.
(d) Mexico did not have the basic electricity and resources needed to transform her cities.

2. What should Mexicans recognize about their alienation from the world?
(a) It has managed to cut them off completely.
(b) It can be reversed only by a charismatic leader.
(c) It is unique to their country.
(d) It is shared by many people around the world.

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

4. What did Moctezuma think as the Spaniards approached?
(a) He would finally become Divine.
(b) That was the moment of his deliverance.
(c) That was the time to prove his manliness.
(d) The gods had abandoned him.

5. How did liberalism and democracy function in South American countries?
(a) As an impetus to move the countries into modernity.
(b) As the breath of fresh air, politically speaking.
(c) As a veneer for the workings of colonialism.
(d) As the new structure of governments around the continent.

6. According to the tribe of the Chamulas, what is a chulel?
(a) The imposition of Catholic beliefs over their native religion.
(b) The prayer of deliverance uttered by a warrior.
(c) The tribute paid to a god.
(d) A human soul residing in an animal.

7. What did the Revolution force the Mexican people to do?
(a) Synthesize their colonial past with the pre-Catholicism past..
(b) Overcome the institutions of colonialism.
(c) Confront history and invent their future.
(d) Think about the future in global terms.

8. 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.

9. Why was Diaz's regime in a precarious position regarding positivist philosophy?
(a) Because only about half the regime favored the philosophy.
(b) Because it adopted rather than fathered the philosophy.
(c) Because it could not afford to support such a philosophy when the regime itself was so new.
(d) Because the common people vehemently opposed the philosophy.

10. Why have Mexican culture and politics vacillated from one extreme to another? (Chapter Seven, page 157).
(a) Because Mexicans cannot invent their history from the beginning.
(b) Because there has never been a strong Mexican leader.
(c) Because Mexicans have difficulty synthesizing experiences.
(d) Because Mexicans deny their Spanish and Indian heritage.

11. How did the Spanish Conquest treat religion?
(a) Spain was integrating Mesoamerican religions.
(b) The Conquest did not relate to religion.
(c) Spain was protecting the Mesoamerican religions.
(d) Spain was defending the faith.

12. In Paz's estimation, why do the common people follow their revolutionary leaders?
(a) They believe in the revolution, regardless of who leads it.
(b) They are intimidated by the leaders.
(c) They identify with the men.
(d) They have no desire to upset the progress of the Revolution.

13. According to Paz, what must be the first step toward reform?
(a) A return to traditionalism.
(b) A struggle against the lie that makes colonialism official.
(c) A struggle against rampant government corruption.
(d) A complete overthrow of the socialist state.

14. Mexico lacks basic industries except for one - what is it?
(a) Steel.
(b) Fishing.
(c) Wool.
(d) Forestry.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Paz, what philosophical fact defines much of Mexico's history?

2. Why was unemployment high in Mexico at the time that Paz was writing?

3. How did the Independence movement begin in South America?

4. How did Paz see the 20th Century?

5. According to Trotsky, what should happen if the Revolution does not break out in advanced nations following World War II?

(see the answer keys)

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