Events in American history are looked at through the eyes of Mexican Americans. Chapter 1 covers the American Indian (primarily Aztec) and Spanish background of the Mexican people, and the problems between the white settlers and liberal Mexicans living in Texas that eventually gave rise to the Mexican American War of 1846. Chapter 2 discusses the aftermath of the war and the treatment of the new Mexican American citizens who lost their land and ranches, and the Mexican migrant workers problems in recent years. Chapter 3 examines what the Mexican Americans have done to help fight prejudice and poor treatment, the Chicano Movement and the contributions of Chicanos to United States culture. Each chapter includes study questions, and a 9-item bibliography is appended. (JMM)