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Essay on The Effects of Globalization on Oaxaca, Mexico

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Located in the southeastern section of Mexico, right along the Pacific Ocean, lies the diverse Mexican state of Oaxaca. Due to the “sixteen ethno linguistic groups [that were able to] maintain their individual languages, customs and ancestral traditions” (Schmal), Oaxaca is by far one of them most ethically complex states in Mexico. In fact, Oaxaca is heavily dominated by the Zapotec and Mixtec people, which are the two largest groups in Oaxaca. However, globalization has recently impacted the greater city of Oaxaca and its inhabitants more than ever. Western goods, services, ideas, values and media have impacted areas all around the world and Oaxaca, Mexico has seen its effects first handed. Globalization has deeply impacted small …show more content…

In most cases, these needs “are often economical—the household head is searching for higher wages, the physical household is in need of repair, or the goods and services that the members of a household desire are beyond the means of those individuals as defined by local wage work” (Cohen). The drive to look for new opportunities based on needs is constantly being pushed on the citizens of Mexico to this very day.

The migration of individuals has been deeply rooted in Mexico’s culture. Ever since the “expansion of cattle ranches in the Southwest and the increase of fruit production in California in 1850 and 1880,” the need to import foreign manual labor has increased in the United States. In fact, Mexicans support a vast majority of American agriculture. In general, the importation of Mexican laborers began with the construction of railroads between the US and Mexico. Added to this, the time following the Mexican Revolution in 1910 combined with the beginnings of World War 1, pushed for an influx of Mexican immigrants into the United States. Due to the fact that employment was scarce in Mexico and “Mexican workers performed well in the industry and service fields…these years were ripe with employment opportunities for Mexicans because much of the US labor force was overseas fighting” (Mexican Immigrant History). In addition, the Bracero Program of 1942, a contract made by Mexico and the

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