Juárez

1. What is the theme of European domination of Mexican affairs?

2. What is the role of racism in this film? How are Indians depicted?

3. Examine the conflicting notions of republican and monarchical forms of government. What are the advantages and liabilities of each form? Which form is better for Mexico? What motivates individuals to support each form?

4. What conflicting ideas and meanings of democracy are demonstrated in the film?

5. How would you characterize Emperor Maximilian and his role in the conflict? How is he portrayed?

6. What is the role of the United States in the conflict? How does the film portray the U.S.?

7. What is the Monroe Doctrine? Did it have a positive or negative impact on Mexico?

8. Look for portrayals of Lincoln in the film. What does this mean?

9. What historical inaccuracies can you detect in the film?

Internet sites

• Writings of Benito Juarez from the Mexican page of the Historical Text Archive at Mississippi State University:
• Benito Juarez on his early life
• Benito Juarez on the Reforma
• Benito Juarez
• Origin of Cinco de Mayo
• Benito Juárez (en español)
• Juarez on the Internet Movie Database