...“Revolution in Texas” Texas has had a long history of conflict, revolution, animosity, and racial skirmishes. Once occupied by a vast majority of Mexicans, Texas was first claimed by the Spanish, and later declared its own independence in 1836, seceding from Mexico to become the Republic of Texas. This newfound independence was short-lived however, in 1845, the United States government decided to annex Texas in order to create a new state for the growing country. Although at the time Texas’s population was still dominated by Mexicans, slowly whites began to migrate to Texas to take advantage of fertile, cheap land, perfect for ranching and agriculture. This growing number of whites brought many problems among the native Mexican people; these will later be explored in this essay. Mexico did not take well to Texas’s secession and the United State’s recent annexation; consequently they saw the state as a rebel territory. From 1846 to 1848, the Mexican/American war was fought; ultimately, the United States won, but it did not put a stop to the localized conflicts and battles still being fought between Mexicans and the immigrating whites. Ben Johnson, author of Revolution in Texas, explores the revolution following the conclusion of the Mexican/American war. Johnson speaks of a different revolution, separate from the original war, a revolution that was fueled by racial, land, cultural, and border disputes. When the railroad finally reached Texas in 1904, this sparked a massive...
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...Road to Revolution Essay I think that Texas did have a right to begin a revolution against Mexico. The Mexican officials and land commissioners didn’t stay true to their promises (laws). The first Mexican official we learned about was Haden Edwards. He was a Kentucky businessman who enraged many settlers in Texas when he threatened to sell the land of the settlers who didn’t have a land title, even if their family had been living on the land for years. After his contract was canceled by the Mexican government, Benjamin Edwards (his brother) started the Fredonian Rebellion. The huge amount of interest in the revolt worried the Mexican government, so they decided to send Mier y Teran to Texas so he could investigate conditions there, find out how much control Mexico had, and to give recommendations about how to change the conditions. His recommendations to the president convinced the Mexican government to pass the Law of April 6, 1830, which changed rules on immigration and trade in Texas. Instead of strengthening Mexico’s control, the Law of April 6, 1830 angered many settlers who wanted their family and friends to move to Texas and who feared the restrictions would hurt the economy. Francisco Madero approved land titles for settlers in the Anahuac settlement until Bradburn arrested him; saying that Madero was working illegally (according to the Decree of April 6, 1830), which angered many Texans. George Fisher, a customs official, demanded that all ships landing...
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...Essay 2 In a social revolution, the main goal may be securing more human rights, but how are human rights defined? Since there is no clear cut definition for these rights throughout history, it can be hard to say when they are violated or when they are respected. Human rights may be defined differently by people from different backgrounds, different classes, different countries, or even in different revolutions. Latin America in particular has faced numerous social revolutions, as well as military dictatorships, so the issue of human rights is a highly important topic in the region. Human rights in Latin America, however, seem to have different definitions based on the historical times, as evident through the eyes of Emiliano Zapata in the time of the Mexican Revolution, Julián the Turk in the time of Argentina’s Dirty War, and a female...
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...independence from Spain, which happened from 1868 to 1898. Jose Marti was a apostle of Cuban Independence, in which he earned this title from many years of fighting for this cause. Jose had died on the battlefield fighting for Cuba's independence in 1895. Due to his belief about Cuba being independent, Jose was imprisoned and was also exiled from Cuba. Jose Marti's most famous essay was published in newspapers in both New York and Mexico City in January of 1891. In this essay he talks about the blindness of the previous Latin American governments to what was actually going on in the that region. The Mexican Revolution of 1910 had posed a revolutionary challenge to the neocolonial system. Francisco Madero had led a campaign to overthrow the government, which at the time was a positivist dictatorship ran by Porforio Diaz. This revolution lasted for a decade from 1910 to 1920 and it was very bloody. The Revolution had many twists and turns, but it gradually became institutionalized in the 1920's. With that being said it created space for a variety of nationalistic expressions to appear. An example of this would be Mexican...
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...2004 Political, Social and Economic Oppression 500 Years of Mexican Indigenismo For the last 500 years, the indigenous populations in Mesoamerica have been marginalized and viewed by first the Europeans and then by the Criollos and modern Mesoamericans as an inferior, powerless and primitive race. Subsequently, they have been forced to endure extreme social, economic and political inequalities, which originated during the colonial period and persist to present day. Although they have initiated countless protests and uprisings and are arguably the backbone of Mesoamerican economic development, they remain in a subordinate position in society and suffer considerably from the lack of education, inadequate health care, malnutrition and repeated human right violations. This essay discusses the disproportionate social, economic and political circumstances of the Mexican indigenous population throughout the last 500 years, and the institutions, ideas and attitudes that have persisted in terms of three major stages: the colonial period, post independence and the post revolution era. First, through the ecomienda system, Spanish political sovereignty, and social reorganization, the colonial period established the foundation for most of the oppressive institutions in Mexico today. Second, the post independence era did not bring sovereignty, equality and freedoms to the indigenous as it did to other sectors of Mexican society, but rather served to propel them even further into...
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... Abolitionist, Transcendentalist, Protester, Individualist, bold, is the most important man who affected our nation today. His actions have inspired so many to do the right thing. His actions have also led him to his choices as an influential writer. Thoreau disobeyed, he disobeyed the government. He refused to pay a poll tax, believing that it supported the Mexican-American war and the expansion of slavery. Because of this, Thoreau was arrested by a sheriff and jailed overnight. But being the Protester he is, Thoreau used his jail time and refusal to pay the poll tax as a way to inspire and raise awareness about the Mexican-American War. After he was released, he wrote an essay called “Resistance to Civil Government”, later titled “Civil Disobedience.” The essay was written about how tyrannical the government’s actions were and how we were to change things. “Civil Disobedience” has been an influence to peaceful protesters around the world, such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Without Martin Luther King Jr. our country might still be discriminating and racist. Without Thoreau’s inspiring essay, Martin Luther King Jr.’s protests may not have been as effective and peaceful as they...
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...Thesis Statement: Henry David Thoreau is one of the pioneers of Transcendentalism, and his famous work, Civil Disobedience has great effect on Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology and movement which drives the India for independence. Outline 1. Introduction 1. Brief introduction of Henry David Thoreau 2. Brief introduction of Mahatma Gandhi 2. Writing background and cores of Civil Disobedience 2.1 Writing background 2.2 Cores of Civil Disobedience 2.2.1 Conscience of human 2.2.2 Effect of morality 2.2.3 Suspicion of American’s democracy 2.3.4 In-cooperation with government 3. Embodiment on Mahatma Gandhi 3.1 Effect on Gandhi’s ideology 3.1.1 Works of Gandhi 3.1.2 Speeches of Gandhi 3.2 Effect on Gandhi’s movement 3.2.1 Gandhi in South Africa 3.2.2 Gandhi in India 4. Conclusion 1. Introduction 1.1 Brief introduction of Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau was one of the most famous writers, naturalist, philosophers, abolitionists, and the pioneers of Transcendentalism in America in 19 century. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, 1817. Thoreau met Ralph Waldo Emerson when he studied in university. And he was deeply influenced by Emerson who advocated that man should be true to himself and close to nature. Emerson was not only a friend but also a teacher to Thoreau. They had edited the journal Sundial together. Thoreau graduated from Harvard College in 1837 and worked as...
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...Jeff haring History 339 March 23, 2010 Essay II Transition of Mexican Identity Identity is a peculiar thing. Identity as a person, place or even thing can be somewhat misconstrued depending on the perspective at which the observation is taking place. The following piece has an objective of helping formulate the identity of a nation in transition. A nation that has multiple creeds and cultural diversity but still looking to find its purpose in the world in which it exists in. Establishing the foundations for its existence through strong leadership, economic know how and cultural influence Mexico reaches forward to gain confidence through this time of turmoil. During the last years of reign of Santa Anna, discord was found throughout the Mexican government and with the common people who were under his rule. Santa Anna’s self promotion for personal welfare left the nation in a spin heading in directions that were not conducive to national security or international respect. The revolt that led to the ousting of Santa Anna was led by a group of intellectuals who had hoped to find a Mexican pride unlike that which was currently felt. Their leadership promoted a sense of social consciousness, with a synchronized effort of public service in the desire to see Mexico emerge at last from its long night of political shame. Humiliated by the war with the United States, they sought to re-evaluate the Mexican national conscience and redefine national goals. Secularly...
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...Pan American Essay The first time that I viewed the Pan-American mural by Diego Rivera was during our class orientation. I was amazed by the size of the painting and also by the amazing detail and colors that he was able to depict. Rivera used many metaphors and symbolisms of different leaders and events that took place during the Mexican Revolution. I believe that his overall purpose was to show his viewers in future what they went through as a culture. He is showing a timeline of the events that took place in different parts of Bay Area, which is good because it helps us become more in touch with the painting. I will start by analyzing the left side of the painting and will continue going down the line from there. On the top left section of panel 1, I see what appears to be Mexican immigrant workers who are building sculptures, some are painting and others look like they are praying IMMIGRANTS? ISN’T THIS A VISION OF PRE-COLOMBIAN MEXICO?. I think that this represents the way that the rich people forced the Mexicans to work for little or no pay only because they were undocumented and so it is easy to take advantage of them I THINK YOU MISINTERPRETED THIS PANEL. On the left bottom corner I see a man in a cloak with an eagle next to him NEZAHUALCOATL, AN AZTEC INVENTOR AND POET. I also see men and women who look as though they are cooking fool in a small dark room SEMLTING GOLD?. I think that those images represent the poverty that they had to endure...
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...There were many important battles in the american revolution, although the battle of lexington and concord was a well known battle in many countries. In my opinion lexington and concord was the most important battle because it was the first battle of the revolutionary war, the american rebels proved they could fight a major nation in a battle, and the new american governments proving they could rebel caused many other Colonist countries to rebel against their founders. My first reason was that the battle of lexington and concord was the first battle. Lexington and concord were the first battles is my first topic in my essay. Most Patriots expected the british to start the war by attacking a patriot town so they set up a system where...
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...disobedience theory also had developed into a new stage. American people began to commonly accept and practice the civil disobedience theory, which pushed American Civil Rights Movement forward. This essay focuses on the origination of the civil disobedience and briefly introduces its development. Key Words: Civil disobedience Conscience Government 1、 Thoreau’s Imprisonment The Mexican-American war, which started from 1846, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico over the territorial dispute of Texas. Most abolitionists and transcendentalists were against this war, because they thought that this war was an act of a bullying government anxious to grab land from a weaker nation. Some even thought this war was a conspiracy of the southern slaveholders. Then Texas admitted slavery, while Mexico forbade slavery. They regarded this war as the expansion of slavery, which could strengthen the influence of the south in federation. Therefore the abolitionists and transcendentalists did their best to resist this war. Among them, Henry David Thoreau was a famous representative. Thoreau did not agree this aggressive war. To resist, he refused to pay the Massachusetts poll tax, which was a “per head” tax imposed on all citizens to help support the Mexican War. His refusal landed him in the Concord jail in 1846. As he stood considering the walls of solid stone in prison, he ridiculed the foolishness of the administration. He criticized the administration...
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...Meanwhile, Rizal was arrested in transit to Cuba and ordered returned to Fort Santiago in Manila to stand trial for rebellion, sedition and illicit association. He was tried on December 26, found guilty and condemned to death. Jose Rizal was shot by a firing squad on December 30, 1896. Rizal's execution gave the rebellion fresh determination. The Katipunan was divided between factions loyal to Bonifacio and Aguinaldo. Due to his successes in battle, Aguinaldo was elected to replace Bonifacio. Bonifacio withdrew his supporters and the two factions began to fight. Bonifacio was arrested, tried and executed on May 10, 1897 by Aguinaldo's order. Aguinaldo's forces were driven from Cavite to Bulacan where Aguinaldo declared the constitution and established the Republic of Biak-na-Bato. Both sides soon came to realize that the struggle between Spain and the new Republic had reached an impasse. The rebels could not meet the Spanish regulars in the field but neither could the Spanish put down the guerrillas. Negotiations began in August and concluded in December with the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. The agreement extended a general amnesty to the rebels with a payment of US$800,000 for Aguinaldo and his government to retire in voluntary exile to Hong Kong. Aguinaldo left the Philippines with his government on December 27, 1897. While in Hong Kong, Aguinaldo and his compatriots designed what is today the Philippine national flag. Spanish-American War / War of Philippine Independence...
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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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...Karina Castillo Literature Comp II Professor Oujo the purpose of this essay is to explore several harmful but also positive effects that immigration has the economy of the U.S The Cold war had become a massive dominant influence on different aspects of the American society for much of the 20th century. This had many effects on society, both today and in the past. It expanded due to antagonist values between the United States, it represented capitalism and democracy. The Cold War was different from most wars in that it was as much of a promotion war as a war with military engagements. The Korean and Vietnam Wars are two examples of military intervention by the Americans in the name of stopping communist expansionism. However, these wars did not have the extra-long impact that the Cold War have on American domestic and foreign policy that the cultural, economic and political battles of the Cold War had. Now this leads into the cultural battles between the superpowers had as much, or more. This left more of an impact on the everyday lives of most American civilians. Not being an American civilian or citizen wasn’t an issue either. So is immigration a positive effect in North America? Without immigration, The United States would not be nearly as diverse as it is today. But illegal immigration is a tremendous drain on the resources of The United States. But we must find a way to humanely treat illegal immigrants today without allowing or encouraging a further disadvantage...
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...• Robert Livingston • War of 1812- Military conflict between US and Britain following revolution about unresolved issues: trade restrictions, etc. • Tecumseh- Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy; opposed US in war of 1812. • John Quincy Adams- sixth president; whig. • Empire of Liberty- theme developed first by Thomas Jefferson to identify America's world responsibility to spread freedom across the globe. Jefferson saw America's mission in terms of setting an example, expansion into the west, and by intervention abroad. • Transportation Revolution- early 1800s, development of steamboats, canals, and railroads. Faster transport of people, products, and knowledge. • National Road- First major improved highway in the United States to be built by the federal government. Connection between the Potomac and Ohio Rivers and a gateway to the West for thousands of settlers. • Communication Revolution- Samuel Morse invented telegraph. • The Market Revolution- improvements in how goods were processed and fabricated as well as by a transformation of how labor was organized to process trade goods for consumption. • Porkopolis- Cincinnati was the country's chief hog packing center, and herds of pigs traveled the streets. • Labor theory of value- The value of a commodity is only related to the labor needed to produce or obtain that commodity and not to other factors of production • Second Party System- 2 party system • Democrats-...
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