...Kristine Sizemore American Intercontinental University Unit 4 Individual Project HIST105 – U.S. History May 26, 2013 Abstract The Mexican-American War, it was a war where the United States cemented itself as a world super power; however, that came at a cost. This paper explores the ups and downs of the Mexican-American War. Mexican Cession: 1848 (Mexican-American War) The Mexican Cession in 1848 or better known as the Mexican-American War was a war where Mexico gave most of their land to America. It was a quest for James L Polk, the president at the time to expand the United States westward toward the Pacific Ocean. Mexico was forced to give approximately one-third of their land away when the United States captured Mexico City. They were given two choices: the first one being lose all of Mexico to the United States because the United States had a much stronger military than Mexico. The second choice being to surrender the part of their land to the United States that the United States wanted. After much deliberation and very heated debates between Mexico and the United States, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848 to finally end the war. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, drafted by Nicholas Trist, stated that the United States was to pay Mexico a sum of $15 million in exchange for Mexican territory, that today are known as Texas, California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Also, the United States had to...
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...of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the racialization of the Mexican population living in the Southwest. In 1848 the United States and Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the Mexican America War. The United States government stated that Mexicans who lived within the newly controlled territory of the Southwest would become American citizens. However, a year later after the treaty had been signed, the United States government lied and broke its promise of allowing equality to the newly controlled Mexican population living within the southwest. California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas were some of the states newly controlled by the United States government. The United States government began the process of...
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...My eyes sank into the American Progress painting during class, looking at every little detail of the painting. The painting depicts Native Americans running away from the angelic-like figure. I wonder how Manifest Destiny started and what lasting effects it had. Manifest Destiny had many lasting effects on the U.S. Not only did Manifest Destiny shape the territorial expansion the U.S. had in North America, but it also came with the loss of cultural diversity and environmental degradation. When historians or teachers talk about Manifest Destiny, they praise it and only look at the positive things Manifest Destiny did. Manifest Destiny is a dark piece of the United States' history, Manifest Destiny removed Native Americans from their land, sometimes...
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...The Mexican War was the first battle of the Civil War. There are varied opinions as to which battle was actually the first battle of the Civil War. The most popular choice is the attack on Fort Sumter; however, this paper will argue that this is not the case. My main argument will be that because of the events leading up to and during the war, the reasons for the war, and the outcome of the war, the Mexican War laid the groundwork for the Civil War and made it inevitable. Although the Mexicans had recognized Texas independence in 1845, they rejected the Lone Star Republic’s claim to the unsettled territory between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. When the U.S. annexed Texas and assumed its claim to the disputed area, Mexico broke off diplomatic relations and prepared for armed conflict. Just before leaving office in early 1845 President John Tyler, a Virginian seeking to provide a new area into which slavery might expand, secured a joint resolution from Congress annexing Texas to the United States. Upon taking office, President Polk immediately turned to the acquisition of Mexico's northern territories. President Polk sent U.S. troops under the command of General Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande River in January of 1846. Mexican officials believed that the Texas-Mexico frontier stood one hundred miles to the north, at the Nueces River, and interpreted Polk's move as a deliberate provocation. Mexican troops quickly arrived at the Rio Grande as well, and minor...
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...reason, the U.S and Mexican War is the perfect example of contrasting history facts told by those who won. Moreover, the United States began their expansion into the Mexican land in order to cultivate additional acres of land in order to supply the demand for sugar. While bringing slaves were legal in the that time period, Mexico was mostly more concentrated on their independence against Spain. Settlers later claimed, that the Mexican Government after becoming independence began to summit rules of their religion, and rules that they should follow under the dictatorship of the Mexican president. The Mexican government eventually law an anti- slavery settlement that will outraged settlers. On the other hand, Mexico history describes the war as being an essential battle in order to domain their land from further settlers. The government in 1830 prohibited further American immigration into Mexican territory. They began forcing settlers to convert into Catholicism and sign an oath of allegiance to Mexico in order to them stay on their land. The Mexican government became economically unstable after their independence making them extremely vulnerable against other countries. Their poor government structure became the tipping point that proved once more the significance of the Manifest Destiny and the idea that God given them the right and destiny to expand their freedom westward. In consequence Mexico lost half of its land, and their population suffer substantially. The war added one million...
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...Mexico's Drug War There is a saying in Mexico that states “Mejor vivir como un rey por cinco años que vivir como laborador por cincuenta” which translates to “better to live as a king for five years than as an Ox for fifty.” This is particularly a famous saying between the poor youth because their opportunities are so limited they believe it is better to be part of the “narcos” and be a “narco king” for a short period than to live a long time as a laborer, worker, or slave. Consequently, throughout the years, drug cartels (the most famous being Sinaloa) have developed across Mexico with the intent of making money by selling drugs; this has caused many encounters with the law, corruption, and death. In addition, Fund for Peace (FFP), a research and educational institution, defines a failed state as a state or country whose politics, authority and economic system is weakened to the point that it is no longer in charge. Although this term has received criticism, it is a term given to define a state that has lost control over its territory, is unable to provide basic public services, and whose government is unlawful at time of making a decision consented by large groups. Mexico is currently under “warning” of becoming a failed state, primarily because of the strong roots that have grown within authorities and the government. It takes a stable country to help a failed state recover from its crisis; a prime example is the current relationship between Mexico and the U.S...
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...In this book, Timothy Henderson shows us the explanation of why did Mexico go to war with the United States of America during 1846, and why did that war went horribly for Mexico. More specifically, he seeks to clarify these things to the American readers, whose past works on the subject is limited. As he acknowledges the priceless work of scholars such as Gene Brack, Jaime Rodriguez O., and Cecil Robinson, he describes the bulk of the English-language work on the fight as too concentrated on martial movements from the U.S. perspective. He sees that his explanation as chiefly vital in the present period, after the Mexicans and the Mexican Americans are overused and dehumanized over and over again in the context of the debate above immigration. Henderson contends that disordered household political conditions somewhere...
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...place in 1836. It reviews the location and its significance within the war for independence that was taking placing during that time. The actions by the Texas revolutionary forces and Mexicans leading up to and during the battle are listed within the writing. It reveals the issue between the force stationed at the Alamo and their superior, General Sam Houston. The defenders at the Alamo didn’t receive support that was needed in order to provide intelligence of the Mexican force that was on its way. On the other hand, they didn’t listen to the order to vacate the fort. These are a couple of the major problems that took place before and during the battle. Although the battle was essential to inspiring the rest of the Texan forces, it leads me to believe that this important conflict could have turned out differently. The Battle of the Alamo The Battle of the Alamo is the most famous battle of the Texas revolution that took place in the early 1800s. “For many Americans and most Texans, the battle has become a symbol of patriotic sacrifice” (Hardin, 2010). Even though the Texans lost the battle, it contributed to the successful war for independence against Mexico. There were, at least, two decisions that may have altered the consequence of the Battle of the Alamo if more cautiously considered. The defenders at the Alamo didn’t receive support that was needed in order to defend the garrison against the Mexican force that was on its way. On the other hand, they didn’t listen to the...
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...Do Illegal Immigrants Threaten American Unity? Oscar Banuelos English 221 N1 Diane Williams 07/25/2013 Abstract: Immigration stems from multiple factors all converging including; getting pulled over just by their skin color, stereotypes that are not true like just because they are Mexican they are criminals, but also immigrants have a big effect on the economy. Whether the effect of illegal immigrants is positive or negative they still contribute a lot to the U.S. and also reflect on how immigrants take the jobs that Americans probably won’t take like working on the fields with the extensive heat, or be worried about going outside because they are scared that maybe they can get arrested and be deported. I think its time to put an end to this because families are being harmed with the current immigration situation. The government has to pass an immigration reform soon because this is a major problem in the whole country. Because immigrants are in America, we should be treated equally as U.S. citizens, because we are hardworking people. Illegal Immigrants came here to start a better life. Illegal Immigrants are not a threat to American society. America was founded by Immigrants. Even though some citizens don’t want us here, we are their support with the economy; we have invested billions of dollars in U.S. soil. Mexican Immigrants should be allowed to immigrate illegally and stay in the U.S. without being separated from their families or be afraid in their daily life...
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...Border Citizens It is easy to characterize the history of the American West from 1865 to 1912 after reading Eric Meek’s “Border Citizens: The Making of Indians, Mexicans, and Anglos in Arizona.” In the first chapter, Meek mentions how ‘hundreds of Americans moved into the territory to improve their fortunes” (15). The United States changed dramatically from 1865 to 1912. The Southwest went through many changes as well during these times. Many changes occurred in industrialization, foreign affairs, government, as well as in society and culture. The events that took place within this time period helped shape this country into what it is today. It affected Native Americans in many ways; some beneficial, some not so much. In the first half of Eric Meek’s Border Citizens, he writes about the ethnic heterogeneity in Arizona between 1850 and 1920. He discusses agriculture, its mechanization, and the growth of several industries in the state, including mining. During the 1830s and 1840s about 100,000 Natives were moved west. The tragic “Trail of Tears” was part of this era, and so were the first western Native American reservations. The continued westward movement frustrated the attempts of U.S. policy makers to achieve a peaceful solution to the Native American problem. When many of these removed tribes signed military pledges of support for the Confederacy during the Civil War, further excuses for taking their land were now available for the many voices of Manifest Destiny...
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...Diego Bustos Prof. Imogene Lim GLST 490 9th December, 2014 The Mexican Dream: Drug Cartels The American dream, a dream that does not come true for every man or woman that is in search of it. According to Ellies, the American dream represent: “each person has the right to pursue happiness, and the freedom to strive for a better life through hard work and fair ambition.” But, would not that same dream be the dream for Germans, French, Spanish, Brazilians and every single country in the world? The truth is that according to the level of access a person has in order to pursue happiness and to strive for a better life has been indisputably the gap among developed and undeveloped countries for decades. However, hard work does not seem to be the key factor to achieve happiness and/or a better life. Then, what does? During the beginning of the 1980’s decade, Mexico among other Latin-American countries started to adopt Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP) sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) in response to the neo-liberal ideology that was starting to spread around the world as the avenue for global well-being. The World Health Organization states that Structural Adjustment Programs: “were economic policies for developing countries that have been promoted by the WB and IMF since the early 1980s by the provision of loans conditional on the adoption of such policies.” The economic policies promoted by the IMF and WB were meant to encourage the...
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...What is the current state of Latin American international relations, particularly relations with the United States? What is unique or “new” about the present situation? How much have we seen before? Make sure to discuss both economic and geo-political/security dimensions, and make reference to at least two historical periods, whether identified by particular doctrines, presidencies, or regimes of international relations. Current state of Latin Ameican international relations with the US— * Emerging independence from US—US is no longer the immediate partner of choice. Regional resentment of US perceived self-serving exercises of power * Economics: * Increased intra-regional economic integration—ALBA, UNOSUR * Expanding economic partners outside the hemisphere—China * Security: * States worry about subordination to the “gringos.” Address problems themselves or with immediate neighbors, rely less on US— * LatinAmerican presidents joined together to defuse tension between Colombia and Ecuador/Venezuela after Colombia’s March 2008 raid inside Ecuador * South American Defense Council (2008)—aimed at institutionalizing and coordinating “defense and security policies in the region while preventing and mediating conflicts within South America * United States: * Economic dependence on the region on the rise— * 50% of US energy imports (largest share accounted for by any region) * 32% of all US FDI ...
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...History of Mexican Revolution Anthony Zermeno LALS 262/HIST 262: Latin America Since 1850 April 16, 2016 HISTORY OF MEXICAN REVOLUTION The Mexican Revolution which started in 1910 and ended in 1920, is recognized as the first major political, social, and cultural revolution on the 20th century. It was a war that started when liberals, which are people that believe that the governments action is to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all, and intellectuals began to challenge the regime of dictator Porfirio Diaz, who had been in power from 1876 to 1911, which is a term of 34 years called El Porfiriato, violating the principles and ideals of the Mexican Constitution of 1857. The constitution established individual rights such as freedom of speech; freedom of conscience; freedom of the press; freedom of assembly; and the right to bear arms. It also reaffirmed the abolition of slavery, eliminated debtor prison, and eliminated all forms of cruel and unusual punishment, including the death penalty. As a result of El Porfiriato there is economic crises, anti re-election campaigns, inter-elite alliances crumbled, mobilization of subaltern sectors (peasants, workers, small landholders, etc.). Since so much corruption was taking place a revolution emerged. It was a revolution that was led by different factions, representatives of the poor peasant sector (Emiliano Zapata), poor northern ranchers (Pancho Villa), marginalized provincial middle class people (Alvaro...
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...The notorious Mexican Drug Cartel’s didn’t one day decide to take over the failing country. It was a series of events that led up to the downfall of the government and the rise of a new age. That new age still exists today and is growing every second. The Cartel’s gained their power during the Cold War when Mexico’s government was focused on “internal enemies” when they were killing their own people thought to be in “guerilla groups”. These so called guerilla groups main intention was to protect themselves from the corrupt government but in time they evolved into what is now Mexican Drug Cartel’s. The main reason why the Mexican Drug Cartel’s exist today is because of Mexico’s corrupt government and how they handled the situation. The Mexican government has addressed this problem and has taken baby steps to their main goal and that is to stop these infamous drug cartels from whatever they are smuggling and what not. After World War II there was a slowing of economic growth in Mexico and at that very same time there was a large population growth. This did not go well for Mexico as they saw what little economy they had before slip away. The government still hasn’t rebounded and the economy is still as bad as it can be. Mexico has tried to seek aid from the U.S. but all we gave them was a little friendly advice which was to do what they did best, which basically is work hard get paid less. With little help from the United States, Mexico stands little chance in the war against drugs...
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...My American dream The city, that never sleeps. A phrase often used about this city. When I first heard about New York I didn’t really understand what people meant when they used this phrase but after a couple of years living here I believe I have finally got the point. In some ways I think I even get the point better than most people around here. Sure there’s a lot of New York citizens who has been living here their whole lives and not just for the past four years as I have. They probably have a greater felling of being a part of the city than I have but on the other hand they don’t know how it is to live outside of New York. Before I came to America I lived in a small village, which was located somewhere out in the Mexican desert. First of all the weather in the desert was very warm and dry. When the temperature reached its maximum the city could almost be classified as dead. All the stores were closed, no people on the street and then the silence. No noise or sound at all. It could be like this for hours. And when people in town finally came back to life again they didn’t seem nearly as alive and fresh as the citizens of New York. The gang wars, which had been going on in my country for decades, eventually also influenced my village even though we lived very isolated out there in the desert. We weren’t exposed to a lot of war and killings but you could still see the negative consequences the war had on people. The atmosphere and mood in the village had become different from...
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