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Spanish/American War Essay, Research Paper

Spanish America

PART ONE THE CONQUEST AND COLONIZATION OF THE SOUTHWEST 1 Legacy of hate: The conquest of Mexico’s northwest A. The invasion of Texas-Not all the Anglo-Americans favored the conflict. Eugene C. Barker states that the immediate cause of the war was “ the overthrow of the nominal republic by Santa Anna and the substitution of centralized oligarchy” which allegedly would have centralized Mexican control. Texas history is a mixture of selected fact and generalized myth. Historians admit that smugglers were upset with Mexico’s enforcement of her import laws. B. The invasion of Mexico- In the mid-1840s, Mexico was again the target. The expansion and capitalist development moved together. The two Mexican wars gave U.S. commerce, industry, mining, agriculture, and stockraising. The truth is that the Pacific Coast belonged to the commercial empire that the United States was already building in that ocean. C. The rationale for conquest- the Polk-Stockton Intrigue, Americans have found it rather more difficult than other peoples to deal rationally with their wars. Many Anglo-Americans historians have attempted to dismiss it simply as a “bad war”, Which took place during the era of Manifest Destiny. D. The myth of a nonviolent nation- most studies on the Mexican –American war dwell on the causes and results of the war, and dealing with war strategy. Mexicans attitude toward Anglo-Americans has been influenced by the war and vice-versa. E. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- By late 1847 the war was almost at an end. Scott’s defeat of Santa Anna in a hard fought battle at Churubusco put Anglo –Americans at the gates of Mexico City. Although Mexicans fought valiantly, the battle left 4,000 dead, with another 3,00 prisoners. February 2, 1848 the Mexicans ratified the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, with Mexico accepting the Rio Grande as the Texas border and ceding the Southwest. 2 Remember the Alamo: The colonization of Texas A. The creation of a Dominant Class- Before 1848, the valley of the Rio Grande supported many thousands of cattle. Commerce between the people on both sides of the river bound them together. As technological changes took place in the regions economy, class divisions became more marked within the Mexican community; the upper class more often aligned themselves with the new elite. In many cases the rich Mexicans became brokers for the ruling elite and helped control the Mexican masses. B. Politics of Gender- Social relations between Mexicans and the dominant society became more rigid with the passage of time. Intermarriage between the native aristocracy and the white ruling elite was not uncommon; both because of lack of white woman and for control of the native population. C. Controlling Mexicans- the railroad played a key role in the economic development of San Antonio after the Civil War. The railroad encouraged the development of cattle trade and brought tourist to the city. Newspaper accounts inflamed residents, spreading rumors that Mexicans had armed themselves. D. Divide and Conquer- In August 1894, Blacks attacked Mexicans at Beeville, Texas. Mexicans were brought there to drive down wages of blacks and to create a labor surplus. The federal government encouraged this antagonism by stationing black soldiers in Mexican areas. E. The Historian as an Agent of Social Control- Texas had a history of violence. This brought terror toward the Mexicans since they didn’t have the same protection under the law. In South Texas, Mexicans outnumbered the North American, latter controlled politics and the land. F. The Revolt of “Cheno” Cortina- Mexicans did not accept North American rule and they hardly felt like liberated people. They called them greasers and denied them the opportunity to acquire property, to excerise political control over their own lives, and to maintain their rights within the society. But many took to the road. G. The People’s Revolt- The El Paso Salt War of 1877 is an example of the people’s revolt. Mexicans in the country banded together along lines of race and class taking direct action in the response to the political chicanery of foreigners. It was a class struggle against the rich, powerful gringo establishment. 3 Freedom in a Cage: The colonization of New Mexico A. The Distortion of History- We are white too! Many New Mexicans have historically found security in believing that they assimilated into Anglo-American culture and that they effectively participate in the democratic process. In order to survive economically, many descendants of the original New Mexican settlers found it easy to separate themselves from Mexicans who arrived at the turn of the 20th century. And they called themselves Hispanos. B. The Myth of the Bloodless Conquest- Another myth is that Mew Mexicans peacefully joined the Anglo nation an “became a willing enclave of the United States.” By this sleight of hand New Mexicans are not seen as victims and, consequently, the enemies of the Anglo-Americans, but rather their willing friends. No one liked the thought of the U.S. invading his or her land. C. The Land Grab- Land, New Mexico’s basic resource, was at heart of the Pueblo Indians grievances against the Spaniards. The Santa Fe Ring’s power rested in its control of the territorial bureaucracy. D. The Santa Fe Ring- The ring controlled the governor and the most of the officeholders in the territory and was supported by Max Frost, editor of the Mew Mexican. An influx of newcomers and capital formalized and extended the range of the North American elite and the ricos, with the creation of a network of speculators. E. The Lincoln County War- The causes of the Lincoln County War were similar to those in the Colfax County. This controversy indirectly involved the Santa Fe Ring, centering on one of its smaller satellites and its challengers. The power roles were led by the

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