Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1996. [Vol. 3.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 23)

STUDIES - András Tarnóc: Ethnic Consciousness in Chicano Literature: The Voice of "La Raza".

Chicano Renaissance, a decade of flourishing literary activity by U.S. citizens of Mexican descent or Americans of Mexican origin whose description of their specific experiences is driven by a sense of ethnicity (Paredes 74). II The Mexican-American Past Mexican-American history can be divided into five distinct periods offering a foundation for respective stages of literary development. Spanish colonial presence in the territory between Southeast Texas and California began in the middle of the 16th century and lasted until 1809. Following the failure of Panfilo de Narvaez's expedition to reach the Rio Grande, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca led a few survivors across the American Southwest before reaching Mexico and arousing the interest of the Viceroy of New Spain in the potential wealth of the area. During this period the two cornerstones of Spanish colonial administration, the authority of the church and state were established. The continuous struggle between the two entities undermined colonial rule and led to the Pueblo Rebellion of New Mexico in 1680. In 1730 responding to an impending threat of French expansion, Spanish rule was established in the Texas Territory, and following France's defeat in the French and Indian War, Spain reassumed control of the Louisiana Territory. To thwart Russian advances in the Pacific Coast region Spain expanded into California in 1769. In 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo sounded the call of revolt against Spanish rule leading to the collapse of New Spain in 1821. The so-called Mexican era saw a conflict with the United States as Americans driven by the idea of Manifest Destiny crossed the Mississippi and ensuing cultural, political, and ethnic differences resulted in the Mexican-American War of 1846—48. 62