Mexican American Studies Spring Semester Exam Review

Key Figures & Events

• Alvaro Obregón: Mexican Revolution general, President of Mexico (1920-1924). Oversaw educational & land reform, labor laws.

• Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna: Mexican politician & general, ruled eleven times (1833-1855).

• Bartolome de las Casas: "Apostle to the Indians," advocated for Native rights.

• Benito Juárez: Mexican president who fought against French occupation and sought democratic reforms.

• César Chávez: Co-founded National Farm Workers Association in 1962.

• Emiliano Zapata:

  Leader of peasant revolution in Morelos.

• Francisco I. Madero:Sparked the Mexican Revolution, served as 33rd president of Mexico (1911-1913).

• Hector P. Garcia: Founded American G.I. Forum to fight discrimination against Mexican-American veterans.

• Jose Mendoza Lopez: Highly decorated American soldier.

• Juan Seguin: Tejano patriot in the Texas Revolution.

• Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla: Mexican priest, established independence movement in 1810.

• Pancho Villa: Mexican revolutionary general.

• Porfirio Díaz: Dictator of Mexico (1876-1911).

• Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales: Promoted Plan Espiritual de Aztlán.

• Stephen F. Austin: Led colonization of Texas.

• Vicente Guerrero: Revolutionary general and 2nd President of Mexico.

• Zachary Taylor: US general in the Mexican American War.

Key Terms

• American G.I. Forum: Organization fighting discrimination against Mexican-American veterans.

• Audiencia: Spanish high court in colonies.

• Aztecs: The Mexica people.

• Aztlán: Ancestral home of the Aztec people in Southwestern US.

• Barrio: Mexican American neighborhood.

• Bracero Program: Laws and agreements for Mexican farm labor in the US (1942).

• Chicano movement: Civil rights movement for Mexican American empowerment.

• Council of the Indies: Governing body for colonial policy.

• Criollos: Upper-middle class Spaniards born in the Americas.

• East LA Walk-Outs: 1968 protests by Chicano students.

• Encomienda: Labor grants for forced labor.

• Hacienda: Large estate in colonial Spain.

• I am Joaquin: Poem associated with the Chicano movement.

• La Guerra de Reforma: Mexican civil war (1857-1860).

• La Malinche: Nahua woman, interpreter for Hernán Cortés.

• La Raza Unida: Chicano nationalist organization.

• LULAC: Oldest surviving Latino civil rights organization.

• Mayas: Classical Mesoamerican culture.

• Mesoamerica: Geographic region from Central Mexico to Honduras.

• Mestizaje: Mixing of European and Native ancestries.

• Mestizos: People of mixed European and Native American ancestry.

• Olmec: Earliest-known Mesoamerican civilization.

• Pachuco: Mexican-American subculture.

• Peninsulares: Spanish-born citizens in high colonial positions.

• Porfiriato: Period of Porfirio Díaz's rule in Mexico.

• Soldaderas: Women in the Mexican Revolution.

• Tenochtitlan: Aztec capital city.

• Texas Rangers: Battalion to protect the Texas frontier.

• The Longoria Incident: Funeral home refusing service to Mexican American soldier.

• Tierra Y Libertad: Slogan for land rights.

• United Farm Workers: Labor union led by Cesar Chavez.

• Viceroy: Royal governor in Spanish colonies.

• Virgen de Guadalupe: Virgin Mary's appearance in 1531.

• Zoot Suit: Men's suit with distinctive style.

Battles & Conflicts

• Battle of Palo Alto: First battle of the Mexican American War, US victory.

• Battle of San Jacinto: Decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, Texian victory.

• Battle of the Alamo: Pivotal event in the Texas Revolution, Mexican victory.

• Zoot Suit Riots: Conflicts in 1943 between servicemen and Mexican-American residents.