1. Mexicano Contributions to the Southwest
Chapter 17
Pgs

2. 17.1 Introduction
The United States adopted many things from the Mexican heritage
Heritage (tradition)- something that is passed down from previous generations

3. 17.2 Mexicano Mining Contributions
Gold Mining:
Mexicans gave Americans the:
Batea: The gold pan
Riffle box: Separated mud and gold
Arrastra: Crushed rocks so gold could be removed

4. 17.2 Continued… Silver and Copper Mining:
Henry Comstock found silver in Nevada
Americans looked for Mexicans for help when they mined for copper in Arizona

5. 17.3 Cattle Ranching Cattle were very thin with long horns The Rancho:
The main products produced on Ranchos were: meat hides and tallow (lard)
Vaqueros (Cowboys) worked there

6. 17.3 Continued… The Roundup:
Vaqueros most important jobs were rodeo and branding
They branded to see and show which cattle was theirs so no one would steal them
This is still done in today’s cattle farming!

7. 17.4 The Cowboy
American cowboys gained their skills from the Mexican Vaqueros
Cowboy Clothes and Gear:
Cowboy hats = sombreros
Cowboys chaps = chaperreras
Cowboys boots = botas
Cowboys ponchos
Vaqueros created the horn on the saddle
Vaqueros also created the la riat

8. 17.4 Continued… Cowboy Lingo:
The terms Americans Cowboys use come from Spanish Words
Example: Ranch came from Rancho

9. Questions Who did American cowboys gain their skills from?
Describe what Spanish cattle looked like?
What did Vaqueros do to their cattle to show that they belonged to them?
Vaquero is Spanish for what English word?
Something that is passed down from past generations is called a what?
Draw Cowgirl Buzz and label the 5 items that she got from the Mexican Vaqueros.
What were the three things that the Mexicans gave to Americans during the gold rush?
When the Spanish came to Mexico what did they find instead of gold?

10. 17.5 Sheep Raising Two types of sheep raised: 1) Merios 2) Churros
The Spanish Sheep Raising System:
Americans started raising sheep when they saw how much money could make
Americans adopt the Spanish System:
Because of increased sheep raising American wool production went from 5 to 22 Million pounds of wool in 18 years

11. 17.6 Irrigated Farming
When the farmers moved west they had to use irrigation because it did not rain as much as the East
The Mexican Style of Irrigation:
They brought water from streams by creating dams
They would fill up a square of crops with water and when was filled they would make a hole to spread the water to the next square of crops

12. 17.6 Continued… America’s Fruit Basket:
Mexicanos introduced Americans to many fruits that could not be produced in the East
Grapes, Olives, Apples, Peaches, Lemons, Limes, and Oranges

13. 17.7 Mexican Food The Food Revolution:
Spanish came to Mexico for gold but instead found Indian Food
Corn, Tomatoes, Chocolate, Peanuts, Vanilla, Beans, Squash, Avocados, Coconuts, Sunflower Seeds, and Chili Peppers
Spain took foods from Mexico, but also brought some of theirs

14. 17.7 Continued… A New Style of Cooking:
When they combined Spanish and Indian food came up with Mexican food
When Americans adopted Mexican food to their culture started combining it with American foods called “Tex-Mex”

15. Questions
When farmers moved west, why did they use irrigation systems?
What were the two types of Spanish sheep?
What two types of food were combined in order to make Mexican food?
When Americans combined their food with Mexican food it became known as what?
What was the main reason that the Spanish started raising sheep?
In a paragraph explain how the Mexicano irrigation system works.

16. 17.8 Spanish-style Architecture
Homes were created to suit hot, dry climates of Southwest
Adobe Building:
Wood was hard to get a hold of so used adobe bricks
Adobe: mixture of earth, grass, and water baked in the sun
Covered homes with red clay tiles
Most homes had a patio and a veranda
Newcomers adopt the Spanish Style

17. 17.8 Continued… Advantages of Adobe Houses:
Cooler in summer and warmer in winter
Can be made from local materials
1930’s nearly 1 million adobes were made
Homes, court-houses, trading post, and post offices

18. 17.9 Mexican Laws American Legal tradition came from English Law
Mexicano Legal tradition came from Spanish Law
Mining Law:
Because of all of the miners, America came up with the “laws of the mines” based on the Mexican mining laws
These laws moved throughout America

19. 17.9 Continued…
Water Law:
East Law: Water that was on a farm or moved through a farm was that farmer’s water and could be used anyway they wanted
Mexican/West Law: water belonged to everyone and anyone could use it

20. 17.9 Continued… Community Property Law:
East Law: Anything that a woman “owned” belonged to her husband
Mexican/West Law: “Community Property” anything that a couple owns will be split in half if that couple separates
This law still is in most Western U.S. States

21. 17.10 Mexicano Entertainments
Music and Dancing:
Mexicano music influenced country and western music in the Southwest
Most important influence was the Corridor (A dramatic story accompanied by guitars)
Mexican dances have also influenced America ( La Bamba, Fanadango, and Jota)

22. 17.10 Continued… Fiestas and Rodeos:
Largest religious fiesta is the one that honors Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico
Largest celebrated holiday is El Cinco de Mayo (the Fifth of May)
Rodeos are a big part of Mexican tradition and that has also spread into American culture

23. Questions What is the largest celebrated holiday in Mexico?
In order to make an Adobe brick, what three materials are needed?
What are the two advantages of an Adobe house?
Adobe homes were created to suit what types of climates in the Southwest?
Who have Mexican dances influenced?
The Largest Religious holiday in Mexico is to honor Our Lady of what?
In a paragraph please explain the difference between the Water Laws in the East and the Mexican /West.
In a paragraph please explain the difference between the Community Property Laws in the East and the Mexican/West.