The first paper will ask you examine the period in Mexican history from the PreColumbian period to 1700. This was a period of great change, but also some continuities. Think about these changes and continuities in the Pre-Columbian and post-conquest period. In five to seven, double spaced pages, please respond to the following question. María Elena Martínez produced a thought provoking analysis about the origins of racialized thinking in a colonial setting by examining ideas about blood purity, religion, and gender in Iberian societies and indigenous worldviews. Through a careful analysis of the evidence, up to what point did race, casta, and purity matter in colonial Mexico by 1700? Think about what issues or factors decided these classifications. See the writing guidelines and resources I embedded in the syllabus for instructions on how to write an effective essay. As a friendly reminder, students who summarize will not earn higher than a C. I do not care to read a summary of Deeds, Martínez, and Archer nor to read a summary of my lectures. I am interesting in reading your interpretation of the past through a careful analysis of the evidence. You are responsible for the material in weeks one through four. Also, remember to cite your sources using the Chicago Manual of Style or risk earning a zero for plagiarism.
