Mexican-American War

Definition

The Mexican-American War was a conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, stemming from territorial disputes following the U.S. annexation of Texas. This war significantly altered the borders of North America and had lasting effects on the cultural landscape, influencing the development of Latino/a literature and arts as communities grappled with their identity amidst the changes brought by the war and its aftermath.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The war was fueled by the U.S. belief in Manifest Destiny, which promoted the idea that Americans were destined to expand across North America.
2. The conflict led to significant loss of life on both sides, with estimates of around 13,000 American deaths and nearly 25,000 Mexican casualties.
3. The war concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, which resulted in Mexico losing approximately half of its territory to the United States.
4. The aftermath of the war led to increased migration and settlement of Anglo-Americans in newly acquired territories, impacting local cultures and demographics.
5. The experiences and narratives surrounding the war have influenced many Latino/a artists and writers who address themes of displacement, identity, and resistance in their works.

Review Questions

• How did the Mexican-American War impact Latino/a literature and arts?
  • The Mexican-American War profoundly influenced Latino/a literature and arts as writers and artists began to reflect on themes of displacement, identity, and cultural conflict arising from territorial changes. Many creative works sought to articulate the experiences of those affected by the war, exploring feelings of loss and resilience among communities whose identities were challenged by new borders. This period laid a foundation for later movements where artists expressed their cultural heritage while critiquing social injustices.
• Evaluate how the concepts of Manifest Destiny shaped American attitudes toward Mexico before and during the war.
  • Manifest Destiny played a crucial role in shaping American attitudes toward Mexico, fostering a sense of entitlement among Americans regarding westward expansion. This belief justified aggressive policies towards Mexican territory and fueled support for the war as many Americans viewed it as their divine right to expand their nation. The repercussions of this ideology not only resulted in territorial gains for the U.S. but also contributed to lasting tensions between cultures and communities impacted by these aggressive expansionist policies.
• Critically assess the long-term cultural effects of the Mexican-American War on U.S.-Mexico relations and how these dynamics are represented in contemporary Latino/a arts.
  • The long-term cultural effects of the Mexican-American War significantly shaped U.S.-Mexico relations by fostering a complex history marked by conflict, resentment, and cultural blending. Contemporary Latino/a arts often reflect these dynamics through themes of identity negotiation, historical memory, and social justice. Artists engage with narratives that confront past injustices while celebrating their rich cultural heritage, creating a dialogue that challenges stereotypes and reclaims agency in representations of Mexican and Mexican American experiences post-war.

Related terms

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in Mexico ceding a vast amount of territory to the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.

Manifest Destiny: A 19th-century doctrine that held that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable, influencing American policies leading up to the war.

Chicano Movement:

A civil rights movement in the United States that emerged in the 1960s among Mexican Americans, focusing on issues such as land rights, labor rights, and cultural pride, often linking back to historical injustices stemming from the Mexican-American War.