American History Hit Frenemies: Mexico & the USA, a History
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Jun 2, 2025 Renata Keller, an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, discusses the tumultuous history between the U.S. and Mexico. She highlights the impact of 19th-century events like the Texas Revolution on modern relations. The conversation dives into the migration surge during the Mexican Revolution, the complex interplay of migration and drug trafficking, and the media's portrayal of immigration issues. Renata critiques present-day adversarial attitudes, urging for a return to cooperation to foster a healthier partnership.
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Fluid Borders Shape Early Relations
- The 1803 Louisiana Purchase made the U.S. and Mexico neighbors and complicated territorial claims.
- Spain controlled vast territories in North America, but fluid borders caused ongoing disputes.
Texas Settlement Demographics
- Texas was sparsely populated northern Mexico and Mexico aimed to secure it with European Catholic settlers.
- American white Southerners settled there instead, outnumbering Mexicans significantly and diluting Mexican control.
Slavery Conflict Fuels Texas Revolution
- After Mexican independence, Mexico outlawed slavery, conflicting with pro-slavery American settlers in Texas.
- This clash was a major driver for Texas pushing for independence from Mexico.
