Compare Cherokee Removal and the Mexican-American War. Were
the justifications used similar or different? Can we understand Cherokee
removal as a precedent for Mexican “removal”, or were there important
differences between them? (80-100 words or so, by Friday 5pm).
The justifications used were similar [i.e, racial profiling, land grabs, implementation of 'Manifest Destiny', etc]; however, to state that Cherokee Removal is a 'precedent' as if it was somehow a practicing ground for the war would be assuming that both 'incidents' had the same circumstances. When dealing with the Native Americans, U.S. citizens and politicians often saw them as second-class citizens, with little to no rights as to the land they purportedly claim and own; in effect, they were basically seen as tantrum-prone disobedient children, to make a comparison. During negotiations, it is easy to picture the white American negotiator as trying to understand the Indians while at the same time looking down on them, thinking himself superior at all times, as if he was trying to control an unruly child. On the other hand, dealings with Mexicans were more hostile, as, despite them being seen pretty much in the same racially inferior light as Indians, they were altogether too "different" as they were completely "alien", whereas Indians were considered to be lower-class Americans - beneath the average American, yes, but American nevertheless, and hence, more superior than those of his supposed "kin".
ReplyDeleteThe Cherokee Removal and the Mexican American war are comparable in the sense that the motives behind each event were similar. The belief that America had the right to expand and ‘civilize’ existing populations, as well as the pursuit of new and valuable land were both used as justification for these acts. Considering this, particularly the fact that the belief in ‘Manifest Destiny’ was very strong at the time, it could be viewed that the Cherokee Removal set a precedent for Mexican “removal”, despite each event occurring under a different set of circumstances.
ReplyDeleteBoth the Native Americans and the Mexicans were seen as obstacles in the way of the inevitable westward expansion of the United States. The idea of 'Manifest Destiny' was present in both incidents. The belief that the US was destined to bring modernity and industrialisation to the 'uncivilised' portion of the continent served as a driving force to the implementation of the Cherokee Removal and the sparking of the Mexican-American war. I would say the ambition and motive behind the two incidents were comparable, though the method of achieving their goals was different. This is because the Native Americans were inhabiting land ‘owned’ by the US, while the desired south-western region of the continent belonged to a foreign state.
ReplyDeleteAs both of these two events were mainly about land issue, there was not much difference between the justifications of these two events. Under the belief of Manifest Destiny, Americans believed that neither Indians nor Mexicans deserve their lands, as Indians could not use their lands properly and Mexicans could not govern their remote lands properly; only Americans, who was civilized and had the right given by God, deserve these lands. In order to get these lands, Americans white-washed their justifications by arguing that 'Cherokee Removal is good for both sides' and 'the reunion of Texas and U.S. is important to both'. Therefore, the justifications were similar.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Cherokee Removal was a precedent for Mexican “removal" because Manifest Destiny first became a significant force during the presidency of Andrew Jackson; and after the success of the Cherokee Removal Americans first became aware of the benefits of believing or propagandizing Manifest Destiny. Thus, I belive that the Cherokee Removal laid the basis for and promoted Americans' desire to Mexicans' lands.
Hongyi Guo 22336974
The justifications used in both events are no doubt defending the American's aggressive behaviour in expanding and 'civilizing' activities.America made their stand as the removal produces good outcomes for both the U.S. and individual states,however,it is clear that the removal concerns mainly about the America's interests.While promoting civilization in a sense,the Americans sent the Indians away from a civilized place to keep them uncivilized.America always sees themselves superior than other states because the Americans believe in Manifest Destiny.Followed by the success of Cherokee Removal is the Mexican 'removal',I believe the previous event has set as a precedent for the Mexican-American War.
ReplyDeleteThe justifications used on both Cherokee Removal and Mexican-American war are somehow similar as they are mainly racial and land issues. For racial aspect, the removal of Indians and then the Mexicans from being the American natives. Both Cherokee Removal and Mexican-American war are essential effect of the Manifest Destiny where America believed to expand all across the North American continent. They were essential because they were the challenges towards achieving the Manifest Destiny goal. Cherokee event did act as a precedent for Mexican removal as they the events share the same motives and thus when they succeed in Cherokee removal, they hold stronger to their believed and hence, the Mexican-American war to remove the Mexican, for the lands just like what happened before.
ReplyDeleteThere is a strong thread running through the presidential rhetoric from Jackson to Polk when explaining the expansion of the United States. Both presidents perceived their respective acts of expansion (Cherokee Removal and the Mexican-American War), as another step in the process of national growth. Explanations along these lines were sufficient to justify their acts to those who were involved in the political process. While the specific circumstances differed, both events relied upon notions of racial and cultural superiority amongst white elites. Thus, while it may be going too far to claim that the removal of the Cherokee served as a “precedent” for the Mexican-American War, both events undoubtedly resulted from the same set of beliefs and assumptions about the ‘other’ inhabitants of the North American continent.
ReplyDelete