Racism and the Mexican War

The reasons for war with Mexico in the 1840s go deeper than just the Texas territory...actually racism was one of the main reasons.

One of the least attractive aspects of Manifest Destiny was its racism.  In a country that was overwhelmingly Protestant, Catholics were widely viewed as the Devil's disciples during this period in history.  Only white men were truly free, the Negro was enslaved, and the Indian was just plain abhorred.

Anti-slavery men often viewed mixed bloods and free blacks with scorn.  An early law drawn up by the settlers themselves barred not only slaves but free blacks from the Oregon Country. 

In a nation still proud of its English heritage, the Spaniard was viewed as crafty, immoral and unclean. 

This led to the opinion that what better country for the United States to test its mettle against than Mexico - Spanish and Indian by descent, Roman Catholic in religion.

(there is no picture accompanying today's post on purpose - how do you depict something so anti-American as these feelings in our country's history?)

Next time...Polk leads America
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Today in Pioneer History:  "On April 3, 1860. the first Pony Express mail, traveling by horse and rider relay teams, simultaneously leaves St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California.