Posted on 05/02/2006 3:48:34 PM PDT by persephone35
The Aftermath of War Vast New Territories by Robert W. Johannsen University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
What did the Mexican War mean to Americans in the mid-19th century? The answer reflects the nature and character of mid-century America itself. Americans were reaching out beyond their border. Advancements in transportation and communications technologies were dissolving the nation's geographic and cultural isolation. Commerce expanded and travel increased as interest in exploration carried Americans around the globe. The war was a "window" through which Americans saw a strange and exotic land of alien manners, customs, and attitudes. Many were convinced that America would never be the same.
Some observations of the war were more pragmatic. The "Democratic Review" noted that the war's end meant the "reduction of our enormous expenses by the withdrawal of the army, and the cessation with it of the excessive jobbing which has been so long going on" (May 1848). After the treaty was ratified, some critics of the war acquiesced, that the war had shown "that a people…devoted to the arts of peace, possessing free political institutions, can vanquish a military people, governed by military despots" ("Merchant's Magazine," April 1848).
Some critics predicted that the "impenetrable mountains and dry narrow valleys" of California and the "trackless, treeless…and utterly uninhabitable" New Mexico — would prove useless, threatening the nation's frontier settlements and draining the national treasury. Some believed that Mexico rid itself of worthless land and received $15 million from the U.S. for the sacrifice.
Vast new territories had been incorporated as part of the United States. On July 4, 1848, the ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo by the Mexican Congress arrived at the White House. That same day the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was dedicated.
Robert C. Winthrop, Congressman from Massachusetts and Speaker of the House of Representatives, delivered the dedication oration. The occasion, he noted, marked "the precise epoch at which we have arrived in the world's history and in our own history." A war against a foreign foe had been won, and he paid tribute to the "veterans of the line and the volunteers." The "great American-built locomotive, 'Liberty'" moved "on the track of human freedom, unimpeded and unimpaired; gathering strength as it goes; developing new energies to meet new exigencies," with a swiftness that "knows no parallel." By the end of the day, the dedication of the monument became even more symbolic that anyone had expected. "This great anniversary," declared on citizen, "has never come in, with more of enjoyment to be thankful for, and more of promise to cheer and encourage us."
Never before had American independence been "more joyfully commemorated." The accomplishments of "our brave and magnanimous army in Mexico" recalled the struggles of the Revolution of Independence and the leader of that revolution now stood forth as the "founder of an empire" which would soon eclipse anything that the "world has heretofore produced."
ping for future reading
Nor do the professors on American campuses teaching them that "history" about how their land was "stolen". Talk about subversive professors....
Learn from history!
ping ping
Hypothetically... let's give it back. Then what? It becomes part of Mexico and they no longer get the bennies associated with being in the U.S.
Not real deep thinkers, are they?
Thanks for posting this, though KCET is Los Angeles' left leaning PBS station. This seemed a pretty reportorial account of aspects of the conflict. What would be more interesting would be an account of how the area in question was "governed" by those who took it first from the native Indians. The native Indians did not appreciate Mexican/Spanish rule. The Mexicans did not have the ability to administer the area nor to maintain order. Geronimo, jailed by the Mexican government, earned part of his reputation "dissing" Mexican authority. Mexico couldn't develop a decent government then and it can't do so now within Mexico's current borders.
Mexico stole it from the American Indians. We bought it from Mexico.
Decedents of (Spanish) Cortez telling decedents of (Spanish) Columbus to go home. Ya, that makes sense.
I think Kennewick Man tried to tell his invaders to go home. It got him speared.
You forgot Texas. Obviously these people are disavowing what Santa Ana did at the battle of San Jacinto when he signed over Texas to Sam Houston.
Mexico in the 1840's was a new country whose legitimacy, and hold on lands it claimed in the north was tenuous and not entirely legitimate. The United States cleverly took advantage of that situation.
They barely held on and if it weren't for traders from the then US states and CA they would have gone under.
The trip from Mexico to Santa Fe was dangerous and seldom attempted because Comanches were terrible enemies to have. Once they obtained horses(which they did not have in the initial invasion of their territory) they became a huge force to be reckoned with. The texas rangers were responsible for fighting and securing the area from Comanches and had a hell of a time with it, even with the advent of revolving pistols to help them after colt invented the Patterson(the Walker was more substantial but still showed a tendency to blow up now and them).
Mexico never really "held" much of this territory they are claiming is "still" theirs. If they want it, let them come and get it!
Re: Tagline
"Si usted desea leer este mensaje en inglés, aprieta uno."
Not only that, but the socialist Americans of Mexifornia would have to move, cause according to Mexican law, no foreigners are allowed to own property with in what, 25 miles of the coast? Oh and they can't engage in politics, so they're screwed there... Of course they loath anything military so no problem with them wanting to join the mexican army, not that they could according to mexican law.
LOL....that's WHAT I've always thought....."give it back." Then it'll just be the h*llhole they escaped from.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.