discussion questions (friday, september 19th)

1. Our nation continued its territorial expansion in the 1800's; however, in the process, Mexico lost half of its territory. Most of the U.S. presidents backed the taking of Latin America's land. 

Discussion- How did they justify that taking Latin America's land was acceptable? Who were the main proponents of this territorial expansion? 

2. Criollos were a distinct minority within their own class. They were content with demanding better treatment from Spain, not full- blown independence. They were also against high taxation and restrictions put on trade with other countries. However, because they were a minority, they did not risk open rebellion. The criollos feared a revolt from the rest of the nation. Though Miranda was a patriot of Latin America and a member of the upper class, he was a criollo. This limited his ability to win a majority for independence of his countrymen. 

3. Bolivar, who was a leader from the Republic of Gran Columbia, seized ships off the coast of Venezuela after he had discovered that the were full of supplies for the Spanish army. He accused the United States of having a two-faced policy and did understand why the North Americans were supplying his enemy. Unknown to Bolivar, his neutrality would pay off. 

Discussion: The Adams-Onis Treaty was written in 1819, what exactly did this treaty entail?

4. Filbusteros were a band of newcomers or mercenaries who captured a town or territory and proclaimed it as their own republic. The uprisings that they caused were known as filibusters. 

5. Both Walker and the Nicaraguans were vying for control over the region's commerce. Many attempts were made at building a railroad or some other type of transportation in order to control trade.

Discussion: What were the attempts made by the 3 major parties involved: Walker, the North Americans, and Ferdinand de Lesseps? 

6. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- The United States provided Mexico with $15 million and ensured the safety of the property rights of the Mexican citizens in the transferred territories. In exchange, the Rio Grande was recognized as the border between Mexico and the U.S. In addition, the transferred territory included parts of California, Utah, and Nevada. Arizona was included but remained a territory. (see reading- individual acts go into more detail)

7.  Discussion: What do you think about how the immigrants are portrayed in the poem, "We Call Them Greasers"?

8. Many members of the Puerto Rican separatists' movement were exiled from the colony. After annexation, many of them never returned.

Discussion: Why do you think that they decided to remain in the U.S. or other neighboring countries? 

9. The Labor Movement took Puerto Ricans and placed them into low-paying jobs that benefited the growing American industries. 

Discussion: What did this do for Puerto Rico? Did it help or hurt them?

10.  In Marti's article, he defends the Cubans against an article that was written in an American newspaper. 

Discussion: In what ways were the Americans' views of the Cubans similar to those of the Puerto Ricans? And how were they different?