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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What economic goal did the Revolution have?
(a) To establish commerce and industry.
(b) To improve the commerce that had already been established.
(c) To pull the nation out of poverty.
(d) To free Mexico from dependence on Spain.

2. According to Paz, what is the "contemporary crisis"? (Chapter Seven, page 172).
(a) The crisis of self-identity sweeping South America.
(b) A struggle within a culture that no longer has any rivals.
(c) The difficulty of Mexico relating to the advancing western world.
(d) The struggle between two diverse cultures.

3. According to Paz, who is most fascinated by death?
(a) The old.
(b) The dying.
(c) The infant.
(d) The youth.

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

5. How did Paz see the 20th Century?
(a) A time when feudalism was finally thrown off.
(b) A time when dictators took more power than ever before.
(c) A time when all historical eras mingled and merged.
(d) A time when the common man asserted himself.

6. What was an important element of all ancient cultures?
(a) Religion.
(b) Familial relationships.
(c) Military superiority.
(d) Historical records.

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

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

9. Whom did Paz call the "guardian of freedom and traitor to his country"? (Chapter Six, page 125).
(a) Benito Juarez.
(b) Valentin Gomez Farias.
(c) Jose Maria Mora.
(d) Santa-Ana.

10. When did the Plan of Ayala go into effect?
(a) March, 1951.
(b) July, 1937.
(c) November, 1911.
(d) January, 1909.

11. 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's beginnings were heavily influenced by North Americans.
(c) The nation was founded by a Spanish conquest of Indians.
(d) The nation began through the colonization of several surrounding nations.

12. What metaphor does Paz use to describe Mexico taking control from Spain?
(a) A lion cub overtaking its elderly parent.
(b) A corpse dismembered and a nation born.
(c) A phoenix rising from the ashes.
(d) A young man finally realizing his strength.

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

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

15. What question did Edmundo O'Gorman try to answer?
(a) What is Mexico?
(b) Where does the future lie?
(c) Who are the Mexicans as a people?
(d) What comprises America?

Short Answer Questions

1. In Paz's philosophy, why must Mexicans face reality alone?

2. What is Paz's solution for the lack of capital?

3. What horror did Cortez's rule not commit?

4. Why does poetry tend to eradicate history? (Chapter Seven).

5. What did the Revolution force the Mexican people to do?

(see the answer keys)

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