What would it be like to live in a time of desperation? What would it be like to look up to foreign values instead of 'culturally' your own? I would like to dive into this subject with this paper, to analyze cultural aspects during the latter part of the nineteenth century that show how Latin Americans (focusing more on Mexico) praised progress. Of course, we must establish two factors: comparing the urban society to the country society.
             I would like to first establish the view of positivism, and how it had an impact on nineteenth-century Mexico. Philosophically, positivism stresses more reality and science aspects over those metaphysical aspects. Some people that considered themselves positivists acknowledge that questions about metaphysics could be asked, but came to the conclusion there are no answers to such questions. Others who were positivists consider these questions to be pointless. This point of view impacted Mexico in the 1890s during the presidency of Porfirio Diaz (1876-1911). Diaz had gathered many intellectuals who would forma group called "cientificos." Their main purpose was to create policies that all Mexicans were to follow. The policies that had the approval of Diaz emphasized the importance of rationalism and the use of the scientific method to solve problems in Mexico. The main causes of problems came from financial and educational difficulties. This alignment of the group may seem like a good idea, however, this positivist movement as well as the Profirio regime was very praetorian. If the people refused to agree and follow these policies they faced penalties from harassment to death. However some policies of the Diaz regime were successful but few benefited from them which were the elites, or upper-class society of Mexico.
             Some may ask why not establish their individuality? This can be seen by the search for progress in society. Many felt that in order to progress in society, you must be able to have ord...