In this enlightening book, the well-known historian William Beezley
contends that a Mexican national identity was forged during the
nineteenth century not by a self-anointed elite but rather by a
disparate mix of ordinary people and everyday events. In examining
independence festivals, children's games, annual almanacs, and the
performances of itinerant puppet theaters, Beezley argues that
these seemingly unrelated and commonplace occurrences?not the far
more self-conscious and organized efforts of politicians, teachers,
and others?created a far-reaching sense of a new nation. In the
century that followed Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821,
Beezley maintains, sentiments of nationality were promulgated by
people who were concerned not with the promotion of nationalism but
with something far more immediate the need to earn a living. These
peddlers, vendors, actors, artisans, writers, publishers, and
puppeteers sought widespread popular appeal so that they could earn
money. According to Beezley, they constantly refined their
performances, as well as the symbols and images they employed, in
order to secure larger revenues. Gradually they discovered the
stories, acts, and products that attracted the largest numbers of
paying customers. As Beezley convincingly asserts, out of ?what
sold to the masses a collective national identity slowly emerged.
Mexican National Identity makes an important contribution to the
growing body of literature that explores the influences of popular
culture on issues of national identity. By looking at identity as
it was fashioned ?in the streets,? it opens new avenues for
exploring identity formation more generally, not just in Mexico and
Latin American countries but in every nation. Check out the
"http://newbooksinhistory.com/p=73">New Books in History
Interview with Bill Beezley!
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