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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did the Spaniards not exterminate the Indians after they were conquered?

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

3. How did the Revolution relate to reality?

4. In Asia and Africa, what two seemingly-contradictory ideologies are being used?

5. What was the purpose of the publishing house Fondo de Cultura Economica?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Article 3 of the new Constitution mandate? What troubles did that Article cause?

2. When did Independence begin in Mexico? How was it similar to or different from the Conquest?

3. What does Paz say about the national differences among Central and South American nations? How does that tie into their relationship with Spain?

4. Why was the Aztec nation able to unify so many diverse tribes? How were they quite skilled with that type of action?

5. What role did Catholicism play in the lives of the conquering Spaniards? Was that role contradictory?

6. Despite Mexico's advancements, where does she still stand on the world spectrum? How can she change her placement?

7. How does unemployment on the farms affect the cities? How does it slow all of Mexico's development?

8. How did Catholicism reduce the Indian converts into passive believers? How was that a significant blow?

9. Why did the new Constitution mandate that education be secular? How might that have made the Mexicans feel?

10. Mexico has entered a new phase of thinking and history. How does Paz explain that phase?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When does the author mention the Mexican ripping open his breast to reveal his emotions? What similarities and differences do those stories share? What emotions are encapsulated within them?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the organization of the book. How is the material organized? What are the chapter titles? Do the titles prepare you for the material presented?

Essay Topic 3

What dualities did Sor Juana represent (philosophical, religious, gender-based)? What lasting influence did she have?

(see the answer keys)

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