Do the many Mexicans on here understand that the US did not "steal" the American southwest?

Question

It was ceded by Mexico to the US in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The US also paid Mexico $15 million for it, plus paid off $3.25 million in Mexican debts to US citizens, therefore paying a total of $18.25 million for the areas of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, parts of Utah and Colorado.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_guadalupe_hidalgo

The Gadsden Purchase (note the word PURCHASE, not STEAL) was bought for $10 million in 1853.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_Purchase

Please learn your history before accusing the US of stealing something they actually BOUGHT. And if you have an issue with the US having bought that territory, then blame the Mexican government of the 1840's and 1850's, don't blame TODAY'S Americans because we had nothing to do with it.

To OGGanster - I guess you're free to believe what you want, as this is a free country and all. However, history says that it was bought for millions of dollars, not stolen. So I guess that means you failed your history class and are a high school dropout, right?

To SEXYGemini - GOOD FOR YOU! You know your history and know that it wasn't stolen. But you know what? You're the FIRST Mexican to acknowledge that. I've seen at least 100 other responses in this section accusing the US of stealing the land. No one else has acknowledged that it was bought. I'm sorry for stereotyping all Mexicans as ignorant of history, but I was making an observation based on the responses seen on here, nearly all of which accuse the US of stealing.

And yes, this land was stolen... from the Native Americans. And if the US bought it from Mexico, then Mexico itself stole it first from the Natives.

To Tonatiuh - Is any country that loses a war really in position to negotiate? The Germans got shafted after World War I. The Japanese got shafted after World War II. It just so happens that the Mexicans got shafted after the Mexican-American War. That doesn't necessarily make it right, but maybe that's more incentive to win a war than lose it?

As for an offer you can't refuse (yes, I've seen The Godfather), if someone put a gun to my head and told me to accept something, whether it was to my benefit or not, I would probably do so. But also remember that in The Godfather, you could accept an "offer", but just as likely end up in cement shoes as the person who refused the "offer". Again, I'm not saying that it's right (because it's not), but it is what it is.

Answer 1

I think I answered a question like this before. And yes, I do know my history. AP US History isn't exactly a dummy class. I know that it wasn't technically "stolen" from Mexico. But it was technically taken advantage of. The Mexican government invited the American settlers in in order to boost their economy and inspire loyalty between the two nations. But then the Americans wanted to have the land. The Mexican War ensued.

The war was unfair. Because of the simple fact that it was Manifest Destiny and imperialism at its most basic level. As Ulysses S. Grant put it, this war was "one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation."

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed after the United States had,as expected, won the war. So the provisions weren't necessarily in Mexican favor. Even though, like you said, the American government handed over $15 million dollar and paid off American grievances against Mexico, Mexico had still lost more than half it's land, all of it's Northern border.

That's why it's seen as a steal. Yes, technically it was an agreement made in a treaty, but the winner always gets the better part of the pie. In the end, the United States still got a lot of land.

So, yes, I do know.

Answer 2

I have no idea approximately California, nevertheless those have been the instances in Texas. I will ought to upload that a well quantity of that identical majority, joined via American immigrants to Texas, rebelled towards a Mexican dictatorship. Go to San Antonio, discuss with the Alamo, and appear on the names of guys and ladies who died there and you'll might be to find a few of your own ancestors. Of course, that uprising found fruit a couple of weeks later while the "Texian" forces defeated Gen. Santa Anna at San Jacinto and thereby received independence from Mexico. A colossal irony to me is that now I listen really somewhat from Mexicans who want to take once more Texas. Why could they have got to take Texas again while their possess forefathers (at the side of mine)fought and died for it to be loose? At the identical time as such a lot as you without doubt love Mexico, I think you potentially could have obtained to agree that Texas is a long way higher off at present than if it had remained a Mexican state. ---and a few want to go back it to third global popularity? Is mindless.

Answer 3

I am Mexican

and I know that the US did not steal the land

but then again... they did not "steal" the land from the Native Americans either...
but at least Mexico got some money for it

btw how many mexicans do you know personally that you can make such a huge assumption on my entire race? I live in a predominantly mexican town and only a VERY few of the mexicans I know would say that the US aquired the land in a negative way.

Answer 4

The only argument they might have is Texas.

I'm here to tell you the story went like this: The Mexican government of that day broke the Constitution of 1824 and were going to drive out the European settlers. The European settlers took care of the hostile natives that plagued parts of Texas. They slaughtered a few Texans mercilessly one of which was the Alamo. They were chasing Sam Houston back whom had a small force. Sam pulled it off at San Jacinto. They captured Santa Anna whom changed his tune. And Texas was soon after born and entered the Union. Lone Star Nation by HW Brands is a good book...

Mexico has plenty of resources. The Mexican people are so smart and talented. It's a shame that there are those that don't work and make there own country prosper rather than give us the greedy eye...

Answer 5

The selective quoting of what history has held will go on and on with this site and those who search in vain for some excuse to justify the wrong they do. When push comes to shove, (and it's not far off) you won't be hearing much about how the US stole Mexico from Mexico. I rather suspect the Hot topic of the moment will be how Mexico TRIED to steal America for it's own.
In defference to the many decent, law abiding Mexicans/Americans who may be in the US legally or legal naturalized citizens or to the few remaining Mexican Nationals that are holding down the fort in Mexico, we should all acknowledge that these good people exist and are not the problem. Sadly, their poorly heeled and ill bread brethern do a huge disservice to their own culture as well as our own, by coming here illegally and perpetrating the wrongs that are so damaging to America currently.

Answer 6

the Mexican frustration is that... yes it was bought, but the people never saw any money, all the money went right into the pockets of the government leaders... and for that reason there are hard feelings...

Answer 7

I think they are trying to say they want to become the 51st State by annexation and follow the United States Constitution! Maybe something was lost in the translation.

Answer 8

Yes I did knew this.

Did you knew this question has been asked more than five times in here already?

Here is a little advice for you. Before trying to 'educate' others, why don't you get some more reliable links that talk about the treaty. You do know that anyone can go and edit wiki, don't you?

Answer 9

Your right, it was not stolen......However, did you know that the Mexican govt. NEVER recognized, even to this day, that treaty as being legitimate? The Mexican President at the time, acted alone with out the constent of the Mexican govt. back in Mexico City, D.F....

Answer 10

the land was bought as you say.... however let's put it into context......

it was sold to the united states after the Mexican-American War and Mexico was not in a real position to negotiate...... if you've ever seen the movie the godfather and understand "I'll make you an offer you can't refuse".... it's comparable to that.

as far as the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo goes..... it was a broken treaty like many broken treaties perpetuated by the U.S. government!!!!! Mexicans living in the newly acquired land were guaranteed their land and their language and neither was honored!!!!

if you think that America comes out of this land deal smelling good..... you are full of shite!!!!!!!