Mexican History

Experiences of Conquest: 

Agency During the Spanish-Mesoamerican Encounter 

Overview:

In this series of units, students will reflect on the period of the Spanish and Mesoamerican contact from a variety of perspectives. Students will be challenged to consider different points of view and experiences of the conquest. After reviewing some thematic questions around choices, storytelling and some background texts on the region and populations of Mesoamerica, students will have a better basis to understand the circumstances of the people at the time and how their story has evolved with the changing historical landscape. Working with primary sources as well as some secondary sources, students will choose a research focus that will allow them to explore an area of interest. Inquiry skills will be built through the units to thereby prepare student to conduct independent research for a final project of their choosing. Students will evaluate the choices made by the Spanish, the Catholic Church, and different indigenous groups including the Aztecs, Mixtecs the Tlaxcalans. Ultimately students will reflect on the value and significance of choices to adapt, remain resilient or resist in the face of new influences. Through such a study students will hopefully be better able to understand the status and struggles of indigenous groups in Mexico today.

Overarching Questions:

1. How did Spanish and indigenous cultures influence each other in the development of the colonial world?

2. How do traditional narratives of conquest overlook the lasting legacy of indigenous cultures in the post-conquest Americas?

3. What impact might these narratives have had on Mexicans today?

Common Core:

Reading – 11.RT.1 11.RT.4, 10. RT. 7, 11.RT.7

Writing – 11.W.1; 11.W.3; 11.W.4; 10.W.5 11.W.10

Speaking and Listening – 10.SL.1; 11.SL.2; 11.SL.4; 11.SL.6

Language – 11.L.1; 11.L.2; 11.L.4; 11.L.6