1. The Relationship between Colonialism and US Identity National narrative: free republic; non-imperialist; committed to self-determination Recall Hamilton’s “embryo of a great empire,” or his goal of national greatness through territorial expansion Recall the Monroe Doctrine 1821 Recall Sullivan’s “Manifest Destiny,”

2. 1898 – the magic number? Really? Traditional interpretation: US does not get into imperial business until 1898 After Spanish-American War: referred to as democratic imperialism Consider that this late date ignores westward expansion completely; essentially, leaves out the annexation of much of the Western US

3. Question: Was expansion colonialism?

4. What is Colonialism? Classic: milt. Intervention; political transfer of sovereignty; domination (econ and cult); territorial acquisition; e.g., Belgium and Rwandans; Britain and India; Britain and Ireland; France and Lebanon; US and Puerto Rico, American Samoa; Hawaii Neo-colonialism: all of the above without formal transfer of sovereignty; e.g., Nicaragua, Cuba (post 1903), El Salvador, Philippines (post 1946)

5. Remember the Alamo Post 1821 Independence Mexico invites immigration Criteria : follow Mexican law; Spanish language for official documents; become Mexican citizen; convert to Catholicism Land 10 cents per acre versus $1.25 Mexican population gets displaced Mexico seeks to dissuade emigration; passes emancipation proclamation of 1829 Clamor for independence

6. Road to Texan Independence Texans seize Franciscan mission Santa Anna and 6,000 troops slaughter Texans Houston captures Santa Anna; treaty signed US recognizes Texan Independence 1836-1845 To annex, or not to annex…that is the question

7. Mexico pre 48

8. Mexico – pre ‘48

9. Overview of the War Election of Polk President Tyler and annexation—way to extend slavery March 1845 Polk: “extending the dominion of peace” End of March 1845 Mexican Ambassador to US, Juan Almonte, returns to Mexico General Taylor organizes in Corpus Christi New President Herrera doesn’t recognize Texan Independence May 1846 declaration of war

10. Overview of War Continued June 1846 Migrants in California declare California as independent republic August 1846 Santa Anna returns By 1847 US occupies Mexico City

11. Notable Anti-War Voice Abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, warned: “Mexico seems a doomed victim to Anglo Saxon…love of dominion…. The determination of our slaveholding President to prosecute war, and the probabilities of his success…is made evident…by the puny opposition arrayed against him.”

12. Feb 2, 1848 – Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; US after annexation

13. Jane McManus Storm a.k.a.“Montgomery” George Wilkins Kendall War Correspondents

14. Other Events Before war: U.S. surplus investment builds infrastructure; displaces local economy; helps to create workers on the move (COMING and GOING – web of industrial capitalism) After Mexican-American War 1846-48: low immigration; Gold Rush Displaces local Californios and Mexicans; foreign miner’s tax; massive shift in ethnic population from Spanish-speaking peoples to Anglo; Homestead Act of 1862 disregards Mexican land grants (LEAVING)