Why do some Mexicans say that the west is theirs?

Question

Like California, Arizona, Texas.. We were having a debate in class and this person brought it up. She said "These states are ours and America took them from us". Besides, why does that even matter? This land belongs to the US now, can't people get over that and stop using that as an excuse as to why they're over here illegally?

Answer 1

A fundamental misunderstanding of history, geopolitics, and international law.

The real basis for it is an implicit belief that people are to be judged by thier ancestors. If your ancestors took land from mine 100 or 1000 years ago, I have the right to take it 'back' - even if I've never even seen that land, and you were born and raised on it. That's the logic. There is a word for judging people by thier ancestry, it's based on a root word that also means 'ancestry.'

Answer 2

I assume it's because parts of the American West once belonged to the Spanish, and by extension Mexico, which the US government acquired through purchase and conquest.

You can tell her that if you want to go back even further in history, Mexicans took the American Southwest from the Spanish. Even further back than that and the the Spanish took that land from the Aztec Empire and other Native Americans. And further back than that, some groups displaced other groups. That's the history of all land acquisition all over the world.

Tell her to read about the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago and the Gadsden Purchase. I think your classmate is suffering from seller's remorse.

Answer 3

Well they are right that America stole the land from them. But who are they to talk when the aztec empire used take over dozens of tribes and kill thousands of people like crazy. They would kill people everyday for a Sun god. So who are they to talk about the united states taking there land.

Plus if they dont consider themselves Native american, that doesn't change that spaniards stole land and massacred people too.
So I don't see the mexican /aztec point in trying to play the guilt game on America stealing there land.

If mexicans want to come to America then thats ok I dont mind. But remember this, once your An american citizen, your are viewed as American outside this country. That means you are an American and better act patriotic and do the best for America as it is your nation. And do what you can to help other Americans. This is what being a real American is about. Not just being born in America.

Answer 4

Not all Mexicans are here illegally. And yes the land was stolen from the Mexicans and the Native Americans. Lookup the Treaty of Hidalgo or the Mexican/American War. But to answer your question, there is a problem of saying oh well it is mine now because I stole it fair and square and now you must leave. This is the very conflict that is at the heart of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict where land claims go back thousands of years.

Answer 5

Well, that person was right. At one time a large part of the Western US was part of Mexico.

But I do agree with you, people need to get over what was once theirs and what is now ours. The US welcomes any immigrant, as long as they come to this country legally and I agree with this. If you want to live in our country, apply for citizenship or a VISA correctly and legally and then come here and enjoy.

Answer 6

We paid for those lands involved. Not to mention they lost the war. If France decided they wanted Louisiana back, are we supposed to hand it over?
If we gave that land back to them, I say we take everything with us. And leave it just as barren as it was when we took over.

Answer 7

They have as much claim to it as the British have to Boston.

Answer 8

It that illiterate thinking that makes them even more undesirable to allow them to stay. We have a big enough problem with illiteracy as it is. We need contributors.

Answer 9

it seems weird to me too, and believe me most Mexican dont really care about it, its history, I know because i am one.

Answer 10

I say "Don't blame me... blame John Wayne!"