HIST 145: History of Mexico

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D1. History and Political Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

This course will survey the history of Mexico from the pre-Columbian period through the Conquest, the struggle for independence, the Revolution of 1910, and Mexico's emerging role as a developing country. There will be a special emphasis placed on the growing economic and cultural intertwining of the American and Mexican people in the twentieth century. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • examine and evaluate how Mexico's geography has contributed to its growth and development
  • assess and evaluate the social, political and economic impact of the Spanish conquest on the native populations of Mexico
  • explain and analyze the issues, personalities, and political factions identified with Mexico's first Constitution (1824)
  • assess the reforms of Benito Juarez in light of the expulsion of the French in 1867
  • analyze the economic, social and political sacrifices associated with the modernization program of the Porfirio Diaz regime
  • identify and appraise the activities of the United States in the internal affairs of Mexico
  • analyze the impact of the Revolution of 1910 on the culture and life of the Mexican people

Major Course Content

  1. Pre-Columbian Mexico
    1. Mexico's geographic setting
    2. Pre-classic Mexico
    3. Mexico's Golden Age
    4. Post-classic 1000 A.D. to Conquest
    5. Pre-Columbian cultural life
  2. The Spanish Conquest
    1. Spain at the time of the conquest
    2. Exploration and discovery
    3. The Spanish Conquest
    4. The fall of Tenochtitlan and the settlement of New Spain
  3. The Colony of New Spain
    1. Spain's imperial system
    2. The colonial economy
    3. The colonial church
    4. Race and social status
  4. Independence and Nationhood 1810-1850
    1. The independence movement
    2. The wars for independence
    3. The early Mexican Republic
    4. Santa Ana and the centralized state
    5. The Mexican/American War
  5. Period of Reform 1850-1876
    1. Post-war reform
    2. The presidency of Benito Juarez
    3. The French intervention
    4. The rise of Porfirio Diaz
  6. The Modernization of Mexico
    1. The presidency of Porfirio Diaz
    2. The process of modernization
    3. The influence of the United States
      1. government
      2. business interests
    4. The costs of modernization
    5. Society and culture under the Diaz regime
    6. Assessment of the Diaz regime
  7. The Revolution of 1910 and Its Aftermath
    1. The decline of Diaz
    2. The Revolution of 1910
      1. the beginnings
      2. second phase 1913-1916
      3. consolidation of power
    3. Obregon implements the Constitution
    4. Creation of the Partido National Revolutionario
    5. Society, culture and the arts
  8. From Revolution to Evolution: 1940-Present
    1. Politics moves to the center
    2. The tensions of development
    3. Modern economic, political and social issues
    4. Mexico faces the future

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

There is a wealth of new information on the History of Mexico available through historical journals both in print and online. Students should be familiar with current historiography of Mexican History.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Students will synthesize secondary and primary readings to present their own analysis of the history that has been presented in course meetings and assignments.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Outside Assignments will consist of reading supplemental literature and presenting the thesis, prevailing argument, and source of evidence to better understand the history of Mexico.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4F. History