Introduction
After the Mexican-American War, which ended in 1848, the southwest region of the United States, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma was ceded to the United States from Mexico. The Mexicans who lived in this region, known as Mexican Americans, faced a number of social, racial, political, economic, and labor conditions that greatly affected their lives.
Discussion
One of the main issues facing Mexican Americans was discrimination and racism. Many Anglo-Americans, or non-Hispanic white Americans, looked down upon Mexicans as inferior and viewed them as a threat to their way of life (Guardino 305). This led to a number of discriminatory laws and practices, such as the forced removal of Mexican Americans from their land and the segregation of schools and public spaces. Politically, Mexican Americans were not given the same rights and privileges as Anglo-Americans. They were often denied the right to vote, hold office, or serve on juries.
Economically, Mexican Americans were often forced to work in low-paying jobs and were paid less than Anglo-Americans for the same work. They were denied access to credit and other financial resources, making it difficult for them to start businesses or improve their economic situation (Guardino 374). In terms of labor, Mexican Americans were often forced to work in dangerous and exploitative conditions. They were denied the right to unionize, which would have allowed them to negotiate for better wages and working conditions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe the social, racial, political, economic, and labor conditions facing Mexican Americans after the Mexican-American War were shaped by discrimination and racism. It is important to note that this contributed to their marginalization and made it difficult for them to improve their lives and achieve equality with Anglo-Americans. In addition, I think the lack of political representation further marginalized the Mexican-American community.
Work Cited
Guardino, Peter. The Dead March: A History of the Mexican-American War. Harvard University Press, 2020.