Mexican-American War

[Almalexia]

and there was also just plain old "Manifest Destiny"; "we're American and it's our right and destiny to rule this whole continent, and anyone who gets in our way deserves what's coming to them!!" syndrome

Hey man, they were asking for it. Waving their skirts around, having all this territory... 

 

[Cirdan]

what i dont get is why america sought land from mexica. did the people in annexed territories speak english? werent they mexicans?

Actually, English speakers were a three-to-one majority in Texas (at the time of Texan independance--even more by the time of the Mexican-American War), which was the prize territory and the motive of the war, and were also a majority in California (though not locally in Baja California) and an important community in Santa Fe and Nuevo Mexico.

Of course, though, the real reason the US went to war was the imperialistic belief in "Manifest Destiny". I don't see what's surprising about that--why did the Ottomans conquer Constantinople? Imperialism (and a quote from Muhammad). Why did the French kings want Alsace and Lorraine?Imperialism (and the belief that the Rhine was France's natural border in the area).Etc, etc.

 

[Captain Pyjama Shark]

It's surprising because the U.S. is all blah blah blah liberty blah freedom blah we're not like those mean ol' Europeans.

 

[stygN]

Well... Just say that Mexico did not have that mass immigration. Lets say they just kept what was theirs, so California, the Rockies (parts of it), and Texas, plus the rest of Mexico of course. Maybe it would be the Mexicans who would "save" Europe in the WWs? Or Mexico and USA together? Maybe Mexico and USA would become real good palls and trade and stuff, and together with Canada form a comunity "over there" that would be just as strong as it is now? Maybe stronger?

So maybe it would have been Mexicans who would fight Japanese in British and French colonies in south eastern Asia? Or help out the Brits in Africa?

Or maybe they'd side with Germany/Italy/Japan and invade USA, with a bit help from the Japanese they could perhaps make it?

I've never thought much of Polks (that was the guy right, the president?) conquests, but yeah, they might have been vital for USA...

 

[Cirdan]

Well... Just say that Mexico did not have that mass immigration. Lets say they just kept what was theirs, so California, the Rockies (parts of it), and Texas, plus the rest of Mexico of course. Maybe it would be the Mexicans who would "save" Europe in the WWs? Or Mexico and USA together? Maybe Mexico and USA would become real good palls and trade and stuff, and together with Canada form a comunity "over there" that would be just as strong as it is now? Maybe stronger?

So maybe it would have been Mexicans who would fight Japanese in British and French colonies in south eastern Asia? Or help out the Brits in Africa?

Or maybe they'd side with Germany/Italy/Japan and invade USA, with a bit help from the Japanese they could perhaps make it?

I've never thought much of Polks (that was the guy right, the president?) conquests, but yeah, they might have been vital for USA...

Silly theory. If the Mexicans hadn't had massive immigration directly from the USA and indirectly from Europe, their Northern territories would be seriously underpopulated, and that's a good way to invite invasion. Like markets, political regions tend to adjust to extremes brutally.

 

[Allegro]

what i dont get is why america sought land from mexica. did the people in annexed territories speak english? werent they mexicans?

Actually, English speakers were a three-to-one majority in Texas (at the time of Texan independance--even more by the time of the Mexican-American War), which was the prize territory and the motive of the war, and were also a majority in California (though not locally in Baja California) and an important community in Santa Fe and Nuevo Mexico.

i dont understand, had california and texas received migrations from england? if not why would they be speaking english back then?

 

[stygN]

English as in American..?

And about my theory being silly: Yes, I know its silly, it was just a "what if" theory..