| Summary: | The aim of this thesis is to analyze the development of attitude of the Mexican nation towards its own pre-Cortes cultural heritage since the Conquista until present with special focus on the most influential phenomena that shaped this attitude. Out of all historical, cultural and ideological turmoils, the reign of the post-Revolution intelligencia was the strongest such phenomenon. In its works, the intelligencia stressed the pre-Cortes history of Mexico. Their aim, however, was not to praise complexity and development of pre-Cortes cultures, but, to enhance nationalist propaganda and define Mexico against Spain and the USA. I argue that the attitude of the Mexican nation towards its pre-Cortes cultural heritage, albeit latent and inarticulate in contemporary society, can be investigated through the analysis of relationship of Mexicans towards la tierra, the earth, and that it was greatly influenced by education which was often (ab)used by hegemonic ideologies for maintaining their own interpretation of history.
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