Introduction
The shared history between America and Mexico can be dated back during the Texas Revolution of 1835-1836, and the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. As a result, several treaties had been signed in culminating differences between the two nations. For example, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Gadsden Purchase comprise some of the agreements made between the two nations. In the 19th century, America claimed Louisiana as part of its territory and was rightfully acquired during the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. These confrontations resulted into conflict as Spain opposed to the America's claim, stipulating that the western boundaries were not defined appropriately. The signing of the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819 culminated the dispute, resulting into relinquishment of America's claims over Texas. On the contrary, the treaty led to the purchase of Spanish Florida by America. Both Mexico and America are active members of myriad international organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States. This paper is aimed at establishing the similarities and differences in Mexico and America historic cultures in understanding the prevalent differences albeit they are sharing a border.
Background Information
Mexico is located at the southern region of North America with a complex indigenous civilization prior colonization in the 16th century, by Spain. Spanish occupation in Mexico had a significant effect on the Mexicans culture, and lifestyle. The Spaniards blended with Mexicans, leading to a fusion between the native Mexican civilization and the European culture. Mexico is renowned as the most popular country with the vast Spanish-speaking population in the world. The Spanish empire occupied Mexico for three successive centuries, resulting into Spanish-speaking population with a western culture. After a prolonged struggle, Mexico gained independence from the Spaniards in 1810. On the other hand, British invasion in America represented prolonged developments in American history. In the Northern America, there were a number of English colonies founded on an independent system of Propriety Governors. There were significant events that characterized British domination in America such as the takeover of AM radio and the record industry. The British colonization started in 1607, in Virginia and spread over America through colony establishments. America later gained independence from the Great Britain in during the 1775-1785, American Revolutionary War.
After gaining independence, Mexico was recognized by America through the establishment of various diplomatic relations. In 1828, both countries confirmed the establishment of boundaries stated in the Adam-Onis Treaty. A conclusion of the confirmation was met by the Treaty of limits that led to dissatisfaction of certain elements in the relinquishment of American rights to Texas. The boundary conflict between America and Mexico heightened internal struggles, therefore, adversely affecting the relationship. In the 1820's, there was an enormous migration of individuals of America and non-Mexican origin in the Eastern part of Texas. These immigrants were commonly known as Texans and were always in conflict with the Mexican government. The existing tension and disagreements resulted in the Texas Revolution that had significant effects on the Mexican constitution. The declaration of Texas Republic came after the Texas Revolution, albeit Mexico did not accept its independence. The annexation of Texas by America in 1845 led to the border row that eventually resulted in the Mexican-American War.
Independence of Mexico and America
The Mexican war of independence resulted in the change and an end of Spanish rule in Mexico, in 1821. Mexican struggle for independence during the 19th century was precipitated by Spaniard's occupation in Mexico. The war of independence, between 1815 and 1821, in Mexico was carried out by guerrilla bands. Napoleon invasion, in 1808, sparked rebels across the country as he attacked and won the war over Spain with the aim of territory expansion. There are various factors that accelerated independence in Mexico such as the intervention by Father Miguel Hidalgo. In 1810, in collaboration with other conspirators, Miguel organized rebels across the streets by ringing church bells.
The gain of independence in Mexico, in 1810, was not recognized despite heated rebels against the colonial government. Father Miguel was later captured and executed in 1811 for causing social turmoil and incitement in the country. The death of Mexican Independence Movement, Father Miguel, did not stop rebels against the colonial government. Jose Maria Morelos took over the movement leadership and carried out successful fights against Spanish resistance prior his capture and execution in 1815. Further rebellion continued in Mexico despite cruel and harsh treatment of independence movement leaders. Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria commanded a large number of armies. As a result, they took over the rebellion leadership. Spain retaliatory mission in Mexico was in vain as armies defected leading to the end of Spanish rule and gain of Mexican independence, in 1821.
The America war of independence, The American Revolutionary War, of 1775 to1783 was a significant factor in American successful protest against Britain Rule. Eventually, the American Revolutionary War resulted in a global war between the British forces, France, Spain, Netherlands, and Mysore. One of the key contributing factors to the outbreak of the resistance was hefty taxes imposed by the British government. Revolts and constant protests against British rebellion started in 1774, in opposition of British authority and subsequent policies. The British government organized its troops in preparation for the uprisings that were exhibited most parts of America. The abolishment of the legal government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay by the Patriot Suffolk Resolves played a significant role in American liberation. In the late 1775, the rebel group had taken control in the thirteen Great Britain colonies. As a result, a meeting was called upon in order to free America from British rule.
American independence from the Great Britain was acquired on Fourth of July 1776 after the American Revolution. A proposition by Richard Henry Lee to declare America independent from the colonial rule of Great Britain played an integral role in the liberalization of America. During Continental Congress, held on the second of July 1776, thirteen Great Britain colonies voted for approval of American independence. On the contrary, John Adams held that the actual American independence date as the second of July 1776. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on fourth July 1826, promoting the idea of the day as imperative for celebration as America's Independence Day. The celebrations of American independence were commemorated on fourth July 1776 even after the Revolutionary War, therefore, making it a national holiday.
Both America and Mexico witnessed various wars during the 19th century that had a significant effect on the social and political structures in each country. America witnessed the North and South War, the American Civil War of 1861. Mexico, on the other hand, took part in the 1848 Mexican American War. The American civil war is also referred to as the War Between the States (1861-1865). According to historical records, the war broke out due to various social, political, and cultural differences between the two regions. The northern part of America broke into conflict with the southern part as a result of a disagreement on the abolishment of slavery within the country. Therefore, the American Civil War is stipulated to have emerged as a result of conflicting ideologies about slavery in the two regions. The issue of slavery had become rampant in America, leading to the implementation of some rights in the federal government.
The northern part of American was favorable for small-scale plantation rather than large scale crop plantation as a result of the soil and prevailing climate. On the contrary, flourishing of industries was inevitable due to plentiful natural resources as compared to the southern part. The emergence of large cities such as New York, with a vast population, was inevitable. A small portion of the population lived in the urban areas albeit an increment was witnessed as slavery in agricultural farms died out in the 1860's. The southern part of American was favorable for large agricultural plantations due to fertile soil and warm climate. Almost 80 percent of the Southern population were involved in agricultural activities, therefore, did not put concentration on industrialization. Slavery, in the southern part, was commonly practiced as there was an urgent need for laborers in agricultural farms. The only large city in the southern America was New Orleans though transport and infrastructure were poor.
The difference between the two regions created conflicts as both regions acted on gaining self-interests over the other. Education system in the Northern region was much developed as compared to the southern region. The other cause of the civil war was about states' rights that had been integrated with slavery. The southern region advocated for movement of slaves across boundaries as opposed by the Northern part. Territorial crisis, and the difference in economies, custom, and social structures contributed to the rise of the American Civil War. Other factors attributed with the rise of American Civil War were protectionism, and slave power. Protectionism was based on tariffs implemented by the southern counterparts that adversely affected workers in the northern part industries. Slave power, on the other hand, implied that owners of slaves in the southern region had a significant influence on the political and government decisions.
The effects of the American Civil War were different in both the Northern and Southern regions. As a result of slave abolishment, the Southern part was adversely affected as there was limited labor in agricultural farms. The southern region depended on agricultural activities as a key drive to economic development. Therefore, slavery abolishment had a negative effect on the economic position of the region. The northern part, on the other hand, had a positive impact on the industries. The economy of the northern region prospered as there was a significant time for developments in meat-packing and woolen industries. These products were largely used during the war, thus expansion of industries in the north led to economic development.
The Mexican American War took place between 1846 and 1848 following conflicts between the two nations. In the late 1840's, the relationship between Mexico and America soared as the two countries struggled to fight over Texas. The territory conflict resulted into declaration of war by American president. There are various causes of the Mexican American War that heightened political tension between the two countries. For instance, the failure of Mexico to recognize Texas as an independent nation mounted tension. Successive conflict events over Texas made the Mexican American War inevitable. For instance, the annexation of Texas by America was welcomed as an act of war resulting into Mexican retaliation. Zachary Taylor, the leader of American army, stationed his army in Texas with the aim of defending its territory. The Mexican American War had a significant effect on both nations as they fought for a common interest, Texas.
The effect of Mexican American War included the territorial gains accomplished by America. After the war, both countries signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo that led to Mexican surrender of California, and the New Mexico to America. On the contrary, Mexico established Rio Grande as Texas. The aforementioned Treaty and secession process of the land had a significant cost on both countries that amounted to $15 million. The other effect includes the surrender of Mexican citizens living in the territories to America as a result of the signing of Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Therefore, there was a massive effect on American as well as Mexico due to the war.
The Financial Crisis of 20th century
In the 1980's, Mexico had experienced an economic crisis that was caused by lack of stringent macroeconomic policies. The 1970's macroeconomic policies were the significant cause of economic recession experienced in Mexico. The 1980's economic recession was the most severe financial crisis that Mexican experienced from 1930's. In the mid 1980's Mexico was hit by increased oil prices, high inflation rates, high interest rates, and worsening of the balance of payment. As a result, the Mexican government instituted a national development plan that was aimed at improving the annual GDP. These plan the involved encouragement of private investment and boosting investment share. In 1989, the government took the initiative of lowering borrowing cost, and reprivatizing of financial institutions in order to increase foreign investment. These measures played an important role in the recovery of Mexican economy, in 1996.
The financial crisis in America, Great Depression, began at 1930's to 1940's. The financial crisis in America had a significant effect on American economy as it was witnessed by falling stock prices and subsequent crash of the stock market. According to research studies, the financial crisis ion America was caused by fraudulent schemes that took place in the 1920's. The American financial crisis is attributed with states mistake in the implementation of monetary policies. Shrinking of the money supply led to adverse economic condition in America. On the contrary, there are various theories that are implicated with the rise of the financial crisis in America. The United States president embarked on various monetary policy initiatives that were aimed at recovering the economy. Through his policies, the New Deal, Roosevelt, managed to stabilize the economy and bring it out of recession.
Conclusion
Mexico and America have some similarities albeit there is a vast range of differences in cultural, geographical, climate, politics, and religion. The prevalence of these differences makes each country interesting and unique to explore. Both America and Mexico make part of the Northern America, making them closely related. On the contrary, Mexico has an absolute different history and culture from America. Mexicans have a different perception of things and unique way of carrying out their activities. There are distinct differences between America and Mexico on the basis of social, cultural, and political aspects. The Americans have significantly blended with neighboring countries and other immigrants including Mexicans leading to cultural diversity. Mexicans, on the other hand, have reserved their lifestyle and cultural complexity in a conservative way.
Works Cited
Cave, Damien . "A Reminder of a Conflict That Faded Into History." The New York Times (2013): 1.
Delpar, Helen . The enormous vogue of things Mexican: cultural relations between the United States and Mexico, 1920-1935. Alabama: University of Alabama Press, 1992.
Hart, John Mason . Empire and Revolution: The Americans in Mexico Since the Civil War. California: University of California Press, 2002.
Kras, Eva Simonsen . Management in Two Cultures: Bridging the Gap Between U.S. and Mexican Managers. Maine: Intercultural Press, 1995.
Lorey, David E. The U.S.-Mexican Border in the Twentieth Century. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2005.
Mills, Bronwyn . U. S. -Mexican War, Updated Edition. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2003.
N.A. "Uneasy Neighbors: A Brief History of Mexican-U.S. Migration." Havard Magazine (2007): 1.
Rosales, Francisco Arturo . Chicano!: The History of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement. Texas: Arte Publico Press, 2004.
Tucker, Spencer. The Encyclopedia of the Mexican-American War. California: ABC-CLIO, 2013.
- Analysis of the existing relationship between America and Mexico that is dated back during the Texas Revolution of 1835-1836, and the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848
Thesis statement
The paper is aimed at establishing the similarities and differences in Mexico and America historic cultures in understanding the prevalent differences albeit they both share border.
Background information
- The history of the two countries is analyzed based on Spanish invasion in Mexico and British invasion in America.
Independence of Mexico and America
- Mexico gained independence in 1810, though it was not recognized by the Spanish Government
- Therefore, Mexico attained full independence on 1821.
- America, on the other hand, attained independence on the Fourth July 1774
Wars in the 19th century
- America witnessed the North and South War, the American Civil War of 1861
- Mexico witnessed the 1848 Mexican American War
- Causes and effects of the respective wars.
The Financial Crisis of 20th century
- Analyses of financial crisis in both Mexico and America
- Reasons for the financial crises
- Effects of the financial crises
Conclusion
- Both America and Mexico make part of the Northern America, making them closely related.
- However, they have some similarities albeit there is a vast range of differences in cultural, geographical, climate, politics, and religion.
