1. 17.1 Introduction By: Lexus Searles and Leah George

2. Words to Know Adobe Bricks- Adobe bricks are made of mud and other plants which are dried in the sun in the shape of a brick. It is used to build houses in the south west. These bricks are perfect for the southwest united States because they make the inside of the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Adobe is a Mexicano contribution because without them introducing the adobe to American travelers we probably wouldn't have it today. Cattle branding irons- Cattle branding irons were used by Californios and Tejanos to claim that their cattle was in fact there own. the brand was usually a specific symbol. The use of the branding iron is definitely a Mexicano contribution. Chili (stew)- Chili was and is a tex-mex dish that consists of the styles of Mexican and Texas foods, richly flavored. The chili we know today wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Mexican contribution. Citrus fruits- Citrus fruits were without a doubt a Mexicano contribution because, citrus fruits were farmed by Mexicano farmers in the south west while the eastern Americans hadn't even heard of oranges, and lemons growing in the southwest. Even the south west is now known as the fruit bowl of America.

3. More Words to Know Community property laws- Community property laws were very important to women in the south during the 1800's because in the east women had very little marriage rights. But the community property law says that if a married couple separates half of the land the couple owned goes to the husband, and the other half to the wife. this idea was borrowed from the Mexican form of government, so would say that, yes Community property laws are a Mexicano contribution. Corridos- Corridos are folk ballads which told a dramatic story while the guitar was played. This way of story telling originated in the southwest, and was influenced by Mexicano music traditions. the corrido is is a Mexicano contribution. Fandango (dance)- The fandango was a dance that was performed during a fiesta, or party. the fandango was taught to most school children, and was even taught to American children. because of this I would say that the fandango was definitely a Mexicano contribution. Gold-mining pan- The Gold mining pan was introduced to the Americans by the Mexicano's to use as a sort of strainer that would keep the gold flakes in the pan but filter out all the light weight dirt. The gold-mining pan is definitely a Mexicano contribution.

4. Words to Know Irrigation ditches- The irrigation ditches were introduced to south western American farmers by the Mexicanos to create vast rancho's where otherwise there would only be desert. the irrigation system was divided into squares which gradually filled with water then went into the next square. This was a very effective and careful way to farm in the southwestern United States. Patios- Patios are a sort of roofless inner courtyard which are seen in many Mexicano home's. This architectural style allows people to safely be outside without exposing one's self to dangers. I would say that the patio is a Mexicano contribution. Red-clay roof tiles- Red-clay roof tiles are a Mexicano contribution because, these tiles were used as a sort of shingle. these tiles were very helpful in the southwestern United States because, they kept adobe houses from being washed away in large storms. Red-clay roof tiles are also very beautiful and fireproof. Rodeos- Rodeos or round ups were invented by the Mexicans to round up all the calves in their herds for branding. this was a Mexican contribution to the United states and the south west because this practice was for one introduced to us by Mexico, but also was a successful way to herd cattle with few disputes.

5. Even More Words to know Ten-gallon hat- The ten gallon hat was a Mexicano contribution to the United States because, the ten-gallon hat was modeled after the vaquero's sombreros, which were used to protect the person's face from the sun, serve as a pillow, and also could be used as a water pitcher. These hats were widely used and very helpful to the American cowboys. Walnuts- Walnuts were introduced to the Mexicanos in 1521 by the Spanish. The Mexicanos had been swapping styles of cooking with the Spanish. after a while American settlers came to the south,and discovered the new style of cooking brought to them from Spain, and also Native Americans. The walnut was part of this new style of cooking which was distinctly Mexican. Walnuts were a Mexicano contribution because, they are the one's who introduced walnut's into America. Western saddles- The western saddle was a Mexicano contribution because, the western saddle developed by the vaquero's had a horn on the front of the saddle, which would be used to anchor the rope thrown by cowboys to herd cattle. this was a very helpful and stress relieving invention. which would otherwise not have been used by cowboys today and back in the 1800's if the Mexicano's hadn't introduced the horn to the United States.

6. Need to Know Words Mexicanos- Mexicano's were the people who settled in the United States, but were originally from Mexico. another way a person could be a Mexicano was if they were born in the United States, but then the United States took control of the area in which they lived. Irrigation- Irrigation is the system for channeling water through ditches onto fields of crops that otherwise would be impossible to grow.

7. The End!