Disclaimer
The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to this information
throughout the semester.
Introduction to Mexico Through Literature Lesson Plan:
Session 1 July 29
Introduction of group and instructor
Introduction to course and subject matter
Introduction to books to be used during course
Assignment – participants to read 140 pages of Mexico and the Spanish
Conquest for Session 2
Information teasing by instructor – excerpts from Buried Mirror by Carlos
Fuentes and Handbook to Life in the Aztec World by Manuel Aguilar
Moreno.
Session 2 August 5
Class to discuss the first 140 pages of Mexico and the Spanish Conquest –
with added information from other sources to:
1) Highlight the political and religious conditions in Spain and Europe
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
that created the time of exploration of the New World Consider the
700 year occupation of the Moors, the recent re-conquest to regain
Spain and influence of the Moors on Spanish food, language,
customs, traditions, architecture, religion and how that affected
Mexico in turn.
Consider the size of the population in Mexico at the time of the
arrival of the Spanish
Discuss the type of people who arrived in Mexico and compare and
contrast these immigrants with those who arrived to settle and live
in other North American countries.
Talk about the city-states, the regions, the construction and
development of the country
Examine the hierarchy of the Aztecs and the matching of them with
the Spanish
If time, talk about markets, tianguis, foods native to Mexico at
the time, additional foods carried and imported by the Spanish.
Set the assignment for Session II – read the remainder of Mexico
and the Spanish Conquest to prepare for discussion in Session III
Session 3 August 12
1) Discuss the advancing of the situation in central Mexico, and with
Tenotitlan, the ensuing battles and the eventual conquest
2) Discuss the different styles of warfare, and the different mindsets of the
Spanish and the Aztecs and how those ideas collided on the battlefield.
Spain up against people for whom death is not a penalty – much like
current day warfare.
3) Discuss the population changes in the Aztec people through those
lost in war and those lost to the diseases introduced via the
Europeans
4) Consequences, conversions and conclusion –the Jesuits,
Agustin’s, Franciscans. What this was doing to Indian rule and
relationships
5) The layering effect of beliefs, attitudes and practices to
increase conversion
6) Bishop Zumarraga’s ecclesiastical inquisition to eradicate
native beliefs
7) The appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1531 and the
effect on conversions.
8) The depopulation and the effect on economy and jobs,
transportation, travel and continued exploration.
9) Assignment: Read first 150-200 pages of The History of the Conquest of
Mexico
Session 4 August 19
1) In class discussion of Prescotts 1843 view of the Aztec civilization.
2) Briefly discuss Prescott’s presentation of ancient Mexico’s climate,
3)
4)
5)
6)
products, peoples and the Aztec empire
We’ll take a quick look at Aztec nobility, the judicial system, laws and
revenues and the military and continue with the priests, the temples
and the human sacrifices.
Next we’ll examine in greater detail than provided by Hassig the
wonders of early Aztec and Mexico hieroglyphics, manuscripts,
arithmetic and sciences these practical sciences lead to the early
organization of the agricultural, mechanical, merchantile and
domestic practices.
Prescott covers the “discovery” of Mexico 1516-1518 by Spain under
Charles V and talks about the several expeditions of the Spanish
between Cuba and the Yucatan.
Then we’ll talk a bit about Cortés and his trip to the new world, his
home in Cuba and the difficulties he has with Velasques and the
armada. Once Cortés voyages to Cozumel, Prescott describes the
beginning of the conversion of the natives under Jeronimo de Aguilar,
and the arrival of the army at Tabasco which leads to the first of the
great battles.
7) This week Cortés meets Dona Marina, aka Malinche, who
becomes his translator and wife. With the Spanish in Mexico, she
assists Cortés with interviews with the Aztecs.
8) If time allows, we will meet and greet and get to know Cortés great
adversary – Moctezuma.
9) Assignment: Read another 150 to 200 pages of the Prescott book. That
will take us past the halfway point – more or less to 300 to 400 pages in
“The History of the Conquest of Mexico.”
Session 5 August 26
1) Continue the complete introduction of Moctezuma and the realization of
his empire
2) We’ll look at the problems Cortés is having in camp, with the colony, the
planned march, the Aztec ambassadors, conspiracies and with the fleet
sunk.
3) Next we discuss Cortés plan to make the march to Mexico. Did Cortés lust
for riches destroy him and the task set him by the king?
4) Prescott leads our group on through the republic of Tlascala and it’s
history, and the desperate battles and then decisive victory followed by
night attacks.
5) Prescott provides us a description of the capital as the Spaniards enter
Tlascala and attempt more conversions and are invited to Cholula where
they see the great temple and enjoy a grand reception and detect a
conspiracy that leads to the massacre. Once peace is restored further
proceedings and envoys from Moctezuma encourage the band to resume
the march to the Valley of Mexico.
6) We’ll look at Moctezuma’s conduct, the reception that is held in their
honor, the visit to the emperor, their early views of the capital .
7) Assignment: Read the remainder of the Prescott book.
Session 6 September 2
1) This week we’ll talk about what it was like for Cortés and his men,
and for Moctezuma and the people of Mexico to see and meet
each other.
2) There is a good discussion in the Prescott book of the Royal household
and the emperor’s way of life, as well as many of the great buildings,
the inner sanctuaries and the Spanish quarters.
3) How did it work when Cortés had Moctezuma seized, his officers
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
executed and the emperor held in irons and imprisioned until he
swears allegiance to the Spain.
Finally Cortés gets to the royal treasurers and their division and
Christian worship begins, while the Aztecs become discontented.
There follows a goodly amount of discussion about the fate of Cortés
and his emissaries, as Velasques prepares to appear in the Castilian
court and Narvaez lands in Mexico and Cortéz leaves the capital and
the highlands, and eventually attacks and defeats Narvaez.
Where it appeared that the fighting was settled, the Mexicans turn
their fury on the Spaniards; who in turn storm the great temple. The
spirit and strength of the Aztecs distresses the European army.
Moctezuma dies.
Following a council of war, the Spaniards evacuate the city ahead of
the “noche triste” the night of the terrible slaughter. The Spaniards
move back to Tlascala where they are welcomed warmly, until the
army discontents and the jealous Tlascalans start up again. Warring
continues with surrounding tribes. And the Spaniards return in triumph
to Tlascala.
Prescott continues to play out the details of the battles and movements
of both the indigenous and of the Spaniards as a new Aztec emperor is
named and plans more marches and fighting with the flotilla in the
causeways. A general assault on the city brings about another defeat of
the Spaniards who sacrifice the captives. Still more terrible battles and
suffering in sieges follow until finally Cortés is assigned authority of
Mexico by Spain and the rebuilding of the capital begins.
Assignment: Read first half of Malinche by Laura Esquivel for
discussion in Session 7
Session 7 September 9
Uncovering Malinche – discovering who she is and what her place has
meant over the centuries.
1) Discussion of the appearance of the story
2) Discussion of the effect Malinche has on the fall of the Aztecs and the
success of Cortés and what that has meant to her people.
3) Outside information by instruction – possible short Mexican Movie of
Cortés and Malinche
4) See Diego painting of Cortés and Malinche
5) Cortés home in Mexico City
6) Read remainder of Malinche
Session 8 September 16
1) Discuss remainder of Malinche and her role with Cortés
2) Discuss the role of Malinche and her daughters in the Mexican family
3) Why are women just beginning to be trusted; Is it true that Malinche
can have created a circle of dysfunction that has battered the walls of
the family structure with the love/hate/fear dynamics for 500 years?
4) Final review and wrapup of eight weeks.
Other recommended books for those who want to learn more:
Aztec by Gary Jennings, 1980. Various editions and revisions exist including a current McMillianForge. 676 pages.
Aztec is the extraordinary story of the last and greatest native civilization of North America. Told
in the words of one of the most robust and memorable characters in modern fiction, the epic
tale reveals Aztec civilization from the peak and feather-banner splendor of the Aztec capitol of
Tenochtitlan to the arrival of Hernán Cortes and his conquistadores, and their destruction of the
Aztec empire. This is the story of the Aztecs themselves---a compelling, epic tale of heroic
dignity and a colossal civilization's rise and fall.
Mexico: From the Olmecs to Aztecs by Michael D. Coe, 2013, Thames and Hudson. 256
pages. This seventh edition reveals and adds information from recent discoveries which shed
new light on raising maiz, on the earliest times of the Olmec, the antiquity of certain sacrificial
practices and the symbolism of the pyramid.
The Conquest of New Spain,
The History of the Conquistadores The
Memoirs of the Conquistadores
The Discovery and Conquering of Mexico
These four books are all eyewitness accounts by Bernal Diaz del Castillo, a soldier
under Cortés. He carefully recorded detailed descriptions of the countryside, foods, markets,
towns, peoples as well as the battles.
The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico
By Miguel Leon-Portrilla who includes accounts from native Aztec descendants across the
centuries. These texts preserve the viewpoints of the vanquished instead of the victors.
Letters from Mexico by Hernan Cortes
Hernando Cortez: Makers of History by John S.C. Abbott, SJ.
Handbook to Life in the Aztec World by Manuel Aguilar-Moreno 1492:
The Year the World Began by Felipe Fernand Armisto
1492 The Life and Times of Juan Cabezon of Castile by Homero Aridjis
Note: The books that follow extend far beyond the scope of this course…but the information
about
this era as well as later centuries is solid and satisfying.
The Oxford History of Mexico by William Beezley, 2010, Oxford University Press. 687 pp.
This book is a narrative history of the events, institutions and characters that have shaped
Mexican history from the reign of the Aztecs through the twenty-first century. When the
hardcover edition released in 2000, it was praised for both its breadth and depth--all aspects of
Mexican history, from religion to technology, ethnicity, ecology and mass media, are analyzed
with insight and clarity. The 2010 edition has additional updates.
The Life and Times of Mexico by Earl Shorris 2004. Revised, Harper 800 pp. The author
weaves Aztec legends and modern-day politics into an enjoyable read that manages to cover
3,000 years without putting readers to sleep. This is a grand narrative driven by 3,000 years of
history: the Indian world, the Spanish invasion, Independence, the 1910 Revolution, the tragic
lives of workers in assembly plants along the border, and the experiences of millions of
Mexicans who live in the United States. Mexico is seen here as if it is a person, but in the Aztec
way; the mind, the heart, the winds of life; and on every page there are portraits and stories:
artists, shamans, teachers, a young Maya political leader; the rich few and the many poor.
Time, History, and Belief in Aztec and Colonial Mexico by Ross Hassig
This book explores the calendar of the Aztecs and other beliefs about time in early Mexico.
The Last Queen by C. W. Gortner. Ballantine, 2009. 400 pages
Juana of Castile, the third child of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Spain, born in 1492
became the last queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country’s throne. Born amid her parents’
ruthless struggle to unify and strengthen their kingdom, Juana, is sent, at age 16 to wed Philip,
heir to the Habsburg Empire. At first she is content with her children and her married life.
When tragedy strikes and she becomes heir to the Spanish throne, Juana finds herself plunged
into a battle for power against her husband that grows to involve the major monarchs of
Europe Besieged by foes on all sides, Juana vows to secure her crown and save Spain from
ruin.
Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of
Castile by Julia Fox. Ballantine, 2012. 480 pages.
History books have cast Katherine of Aragon, the first queen of King Henry VIII of England, as the
ultimate symbol of the Betrayed Woman, cruelly tossed aside in favor of her husband’s seductive
mistress, Anne Boleyn. Katherine’s sister, Juana of Castile, wife of Philip of Burgundy and mother
of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, is portrayed as “Juana the Mad,” due to erratic behavior.