Readings and questions: These are very complex issues and the answers could fill volumes, if not

libraries. What I want is that you have a basic understanding of the issues and the players [i.e. a clue of who and what is going on]. Your answers for each section should be 3-5 sentences. p. 131 Describe a latifundio: how was it organized, how did it differ from how the indigenous populations regarded land, what was the overall effect of the latifundio on the Indians' population and culture? p. 239 The Reforms, as proposed by the Liberals, were what? What did they as causes and solutions of Mexico's problems? p. 273 What were living conditions like in the Yucatan? What kind of leader was Porfirio Daz? p. 279 What were the conditions like in Chiapas? p. 285 Porfirio Daz is often described as a benevolent dictator--cruel, but everything that he did was to benefit Mexico. What do you think of this description written by an outsider, who didn't live under the repression described above?

Preguntas para las lecturas:

Las ideas presentadas en estas lecturas son enormamente complejas y complicadas, y son temas que llenan libros enteros. Quiero que Uds tengan una idea bsica de la historia y el contexto. Las respuestas a las preguntas en cada categora deben ser entre 3-5 oraciones, mximo. p. 131: Describe un latifundio--la organizacin, la administracin, las diferencias en cuanto a la percepcin de la tierra entre los europeos y los indgenas, y cul era el efecto sobre las poblacines indgenas y sus culturas. p. 239 Cmo eran las Reformas propuestas por los Liberales? Cmo vieron ellos los problemas y las soluciones? p. 273 Describe las condiciones en el Yucatn. Qu tipo de lder era Porfirio Daz? p. 279 Describe las condiciones en Chiapas. p. 285 Muchos describen a Porfirio Daz como un dictador benvolo--cruel, pero siempre obrando para ayudar a su pas. Qu opinas de esta descripcin, escrita por alguien que NO era mexicano, y que no viva bajo las condiciones descritas arriba?