Rural Life in 19th Century Mexico

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Questions and Answers

What was the common response of the coachman when faced with robbers?

To remain neutral (correct)

To fight back fiercely

To call for help

To attempt to escape

Overnight lodging in rural areas improved significantly during the early post-independence years.

False (B)

What type of conditions did William Marshall Anderson find in one southern village during his visit to Mexico?

A miserable grass covered shanty

French troops reportedly behaved __________ than American troops of 1846-48.

worse Signup and view all the answers

Match the following elements to their respective contexts in post-independence Mexico:

Rural accommodations = Lacked comfort and elegance Indigenous campesinos = Expressed proto-nationalist sentiments French troops = Comported worse than Americans Collective identities = Mixed liberalism and traditional customs Signup and view all the answers

Life for the average citizen in rural Mexico changed significantly during the 1850s, 1860s, and 1870s.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

In terms of earning power, standard of living, diet, life expectancy, and ______, the life of rural Mexicans during the Empire and the restored republic closely mirrored the past.

education Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way in which rural communities engaged with national changes?

Through widespread adoption of modern technology and infrastructure (B) Signup and view all the answers

What specific aspect of the Mexican social landscape does Francisco Pimentel's 1865 description highlight?

The divide between the rich and poor, or the white and brown populations of Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Match these groups to their descriptions:

Indian Pueblo = Rural communities largely populated by indigenous people Mestizo Village = Rural communities where people of mixed indigenous and European descent lived White Mexico = Elites who often traveled by stagecoach and enjoyed a privileged lifestyle Poor Mexico = The vast majority of the population, largely existing in rural areas Signup and view all the answers

What was the common strategy employed by the coachman when confronted by robbers?

To stay neutral (B) Signup and view all the answers

Overnight lodging in rural areas was luxurious and comfortable immediately after independence.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of sentiments did indigenous and mixed-race campesinos begin to express in Oaxaca?

Proto-nationalist sentiments Signup and view all the answers

William Marshall Anderson found that accommodations in one southern village consisted of a __________ covered shanty.

grass Signup and view all the answers

Match the following groups with their actions in post-independence Mexico:

Coachman = Stays neutral during robberies French troops = Behaved poorly Rural Mexicans = Accustomed to violence and depredations Campesinos = Expressed proto-nationalist sentiments Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rural Life in Mid-19th Century Mexico

Mexico remained largely rural in the 1860s and 1870s.
Rural life for the average person changed little compared to previous generations.
Those in indigenous villages or pueblos lived similarly to their ancestors, in terms of earning power, standard of living, diet, life expectancy, and education.
Interactions with national changes often involved adapting the new to the old, especially in the political sphere.
The gap between rich and poor, white and brown Mexicans, widened or remained significant.
Foreign travelers noted that roads improved slowly, but bandits still plagued the highways.

Class Differences in Mexico

Inequality between social classes persisted.
Indigenous and mixed-race campesinos (rural farmers) increasingly developed nationalist, collective identities combining old customs with new ideas from political, religious, and social movements.
Some Mexicans expressed desires for change or challenged established norms.
The situation of former soldiers was often precarious following the end of conflicts, leading to banditry and social unrest.

Mexico's population growth was slow during periods of war and unrest.
Some Mexican city populations decreased, but others grew, such as Mexico City.
Birth rates remained relatively high, but high infant mortality and casualties slowed overall growth.
Urban migration may have contributed to challenges in the cities.
Rural poverty persisted throughout this era.

Urbanization and Development

Mexico City's population increased to around 200,000 in the restored republic.
Significant physical transformations occurred, particularly the construction of new avenues and thoroughfares connecting the city.
The major boulevard, Paseo de la Reforma (formerly Calzada de la Emperatriz), was completed later in this period.
Issues of social and moral concern arose in Mexico City, including prostitution, begging, and significant concerns about public order and moral issues.
New thoroughfares like the one connecting Chapultepec Castle to the city center reflect the expansion of the city.

Everyday Life and Cultural Achievements

Rural Mexicans and urbanites both had significant social diversions
Popular culture activities like public gatherings, fiestas, and circuses enjoyed widespread participation
The bullfight, a popular spectacle, was a part of Mexican culture, became a source of social commentary, with efforts to regulate and restrict it.
However, social problems such as begging persisted and there was pressure to address public order and moral issues.

The mid-19th century saw a rise in historical novels, reflecting new approaches to understanding the past. Authors tried to promote a sense of Mexican identity, and awareness.
Intellectuals favored a path that emphasized Mexican cultural values and identity.
The mid-19th century saw innovative works in art and music, and in the development of Mexican philosophies.
Social awareness in the arts during this period was evident in several works, which highlighted issues of poverty, inequities and social injustices.
Positive developments were seen in avenues of higher education in the arts.

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Description

Explore the rural life of Mexico during the 1860s and 1870s, where traditions remained strong among indigenous communities. Discover how social class inequalities persist and how rural farmers' identities evolved amidst national changes. Delve into the complexities of economic status and the gap between rich and poor.