North American influence on Monterrey education of XIX and XX centuries: a capitalist approach

Abstract

The North part of Mexico was benefited by its vicinity to the United States of North America during the second half of the XIX century, when this zone created an “economic corridor” that required a change of the social imagery, by making the most out of the time and specialized teaching in order to obtain the best development of its enterprises, of which Monterrey was a main part, due to its accelerated industrial and commercial diversification. Both elements were provided by Baptist and Methodist schools that were successfully installed in this capital supported by the government, as their extensive education included extracurricular courses like music, drawing, theater and sports –with the aim of giving a useful, solid education and healthy moral values for their students–, it was enriched by the utilitarian teaching, having the capitalism as a base; along with the practice of the mixed educational system, these schools printed their textbooks and imparted their classes in English language, circumstance that was very valuable for their graduates in the work area, where the number of foreigners was bigger. Their privileged education gave access to all social classes, by charging low fees and giving scholarships to poor families and children of widows.