HIST 4520, Fall 2012
Midterm Exam

Due in class Wednesday, October 25, 2012.

Structure of the Exam: This is a take-home essay exam. You will have to do two essays. In grading these essays, I will assume you have done the appropriate readings.  Essays should be two to three pages long (440-660 word, approximately).

Choose two essays from this list.

1. What are the obstacles to state formation that Latin American countries faced in the nineteenth century? In other words, what complicated efforts to create a strong, stable governments? Include examples from at least two countries in your response.
2. Discuss the factors that contributed in 19th century and early 20th century Latin America to the construction of national identities, as well as obstacles to the construction of those identies. Include examples from at least two countries in your response.
3. Liberals and Positivists sought to "modernize" Latin America in the later part of the nineteenth century. What was meant by "modernization," and what impact did it have on Latin American society, and in particular on ordinary people?
4.  It could be argued that Mexico experienced not one but at least three revolutions between 1910 and 1920. How did first the Sonoran Dynasty and then the Cardenas government try to meet the demands of these many revolutions?