Final Exam
Mexican American History I: Final Essay Exam
Based on all relevant assigned readings, class lectures, and class discussions, write a well-organized and well-supported essay on the following topic. By “well-supported” I mean you should support the points you are making in the essay with specific, relevant evidence or examples from assigned readings, class meetings, class discussions and videos show in class.
Topic: What was the legacy of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo for the Mexican American communities in the Southwest? How did various groups of Mexican Americans respond to their treatment? Discuss both accommodation and resistance and make sure to cover California, Texas and New Mexico.
You must use at least four of the primary sources to support your argument in the essay. You should use sources posted during previous weekly modules. Some possible sources include:
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Class 21)
Juan Seguín, “A Foreigner in my Native Land,” (Writing Assignments #2 in the Week 12 Folder)
Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid, Juan Bautista Alvarado, and Angustias de la Guerra Ord, “Reactions to Defeat,” (Class 21)
Donaciano Vigil entitled “Keep Yourselves Quiet,” (Class 22)
Nuestra Plataforma, Felix Martínez, “Las Gorras Blancas,” (Class 22)
“Angelinos Resist,” (Class 23)
Tiburcio Vázquez, “Resistance in California,” (Class 23)
John Rollin Ridge, “Legend Making: An Account of Joaquin Murieta,” (Class 23)
Antonio María Pico, “Compelled to sell, little by little by little,” (Class 23)
“Tejanos Lose Land,” (Class 24)
Juan Nepomuceno Cortina, “To Defend Ourselves,” (Class 24)
You may also use secondary sources, such as the textbooks, PowerPoints, and videos from the course, but make sure to cite them. You may also use your previous work, including Writing Assignment #2, quizzes, activities, and yours or other student’s Discussion Posts- but cite them if you use them. Do not use any sources outside of the class.
In previous assignments, I asked you to write in the voice of someone living during an earlier time period, but this essay is different. You should write your assignment using your own voice- as a student in 2024.