Anyone know why Mexico didn't take advantage of the American Civil War to try to get its lands back?
539136
Because we had our own internal turmoil and a short war with France.  Yes, we lost those lands shortly after the Alamo (1836) and before your civil war (1861-65).
322328
Mexico wants to get rid of their poor. They personally don't care where they go just as long as they leave and send money back. These are very uneducated people and a major a drain on the Mexican society as they are on ours. Americans are very misinformed if they think our government, corporate America and small businesses like these people. Mexican serve a purpose and caring about them has nothing to do with it.
634902
Or, what about Mexico annex what was once theirs?\n\nI think both ideas are ridiculous, but if we are going to fantasize, how about this:\n\nAt first it wouldn't be a State(s), it would be a territory or a protectorate, like Porto Rico or the Panama canal zone.  If we annexed Mexico it is possible it would never achieve statehood.\n\nYou mentioned the benefits of building an infrastructure, but the reality is that we have a failing infrastructure up here we would have to deal with first.  We have one of the worst infrastructures compared to all the other developed countries of the world.  Our train system has some serious catching up to do.  Most of our power plants are dated.  Dams and levys are falling apart what seems like every day (think New Orleans), our airports are over used and too small, our National Parks and other public Lands are desperately under funded, our public transportation is terrible, we dearly need a urban planning miracle, we are facing a future of drought, the list doesn't end.  But basically we can't seem to afford to take care of ourselves let alone another 107,000,000 Mexicans.\n\nYes we would gain the natural resources, but the reality is we already have them.  America has been exploiting Latin America's natural resources for more than 150 years.  Look at whats going on in Venezuela and Bolivia.  The US is pissed off because these governments aren't allowing the US to rape them anymore. \n\nAnd we already have the cheap labor, they come here.  And they stay cheap because they are illegal.  But imagine if we start paying another 107,000,000 people minimum wage (or more),  they wouldn't be so cheap any more now would they?\n\nThe old paradigm of controlling mass geographic space is becoming passe.  In fact it is very difficult to govern huge populations speaking different languages, sharing different cultures, expressing different political ideologies.  America is a very expensive venture indeed, and I am not sure it is the least costly model.  When you finally break it down buy cost analysis I am sure the independent Mexico model shows the highest net growth for both countries.  \n\nIt is even possible that our current country "as is" won't be able to afford to exist in its present form for very much longer.  What if we run out of gas?\n  \nCan you imagine trying to get 107,000,000 Mexicans to integrate in to the US way of life, fat chance.  Many of them don't even speak Spanish let alone English.
415632
Sure, Sam Houston beat the Mexican Army back in 1836, then the US military had beaten them again 1848. There is plenty of oil there to help out with growth not to mention the labor pool that has improved their skill in the past 30 years.  Mexico being added to the US would do wonders for the economy, then 70% of the poorest of the population would increase their standard of living into the modern world. But we would have to sink in tons of money in Federal programs to break up all the corruption, that in itself makes it not worth it.
233516
It was ceded to the US in 1819 (Adams-Onis Treaty).  The Spanish turned it over after the US renounced all its claims to Texas.
673082
After the Mexican-American War, the United States paid Mexico $15 million (the Treaty of Guadulupe Hidalgo) for what is now California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico.  Texas won its War of Independence from Mexico in 1836, and later joined the United States as a slave state in 1845.\n\nThe United States later purchased the southern portion of Arizona, as well as the panhandle portion of New Mexico, in 1853 (the Gadsden Purchase) for $10 million.
647210
Apparently not, they want to extend it until they get to Canada. They are always saying that their land was stolen, if they like so much history then they should remember that the Aztecs conquered most of central America, and in their temples they killed thousands pf prisoners.By the way, I'm tired of hear about " La raza", not because most people down USA speak Spanish, make them the same, and then they want to receive all the benefits. Among all the Hispanics countries Mexican re known for the terrible way they treat other Latino-Americans, they beat them up and take them back to the border with Guatemala , after the steal all the have on them, they got thousands of Cubans that have landed there looking for freedom on their way to USA.They even threat the economy , if you ask me , you don't ask for souls at gunpoint.
337081
I had heard that at one time, USA had thoughts of taking in Mexico but with all the poverty it would have just gotten USA too much in the hole.\n\nBut it all does sounds like a good idea.  Would be nice if we all could just be like one & help each other and have no wars.  God bless.  <><
235055
If it is the US civil war, indeed slavery was one reason, but tensions between Northern and Southern politicians is another problem as they couldn't effectively compromise over how to deal with slavery and 1850 Compromise, Missouri Compromise etcetra were not effective. Also, Lincoln's election as President is a cause as well as he was suspected to be against slavery as he was a Republican:  as the Southern states succeeded in response to Lincoln's election, the North wanted the South to return = war. Also, arguments over who owned Fort Sumter is another cause. Other causes such as the break down of the two party system can be also claimed to have caused the civil war.
597718
Can you give more information please?   Mexican Civil War  (Guerra de Revolucion) started in 1910, but the US Intervention War was around 1847.
736591
The US/Mexico war was going to happen anyway.  There was room for only one major continental power.  The US also was sure of its Manifest Destiny Doctrine and that meant that the two nations had to duke it out.  We won and took the legitimate spoils of war in the eyes of the people of that era.  There was even some debate about annexing ALL of Mexico but it was not viable at that time.
896258
In 1916, Francisco Villa, leader of the peasant uprisings in northern Mexico, raided Columbus, New Mexico, in an attempt to expose Mexican government collaboration with the United States. President Woodrow Wilson responded by ordering an invasion of Mexico. Five years after the beginning of the Mexican Revolution, which was characterized by hope for social change as well as death, hunger, and violence, many Mexicans did not welcome further involvement by the U.S. In the following correspondence, Secretary of State Robert Lansing and President Wilson described the need to carefully frame the invasion as a defense of U.S. borders rather than interference in the Mexican Revolution. The resulting invasion, led by General John Pershing, was a total fiasco. It failed to locate Villa and increased anti-U.S. sentiment and Mexican nationalist resolve. \n\n\n\nGo here for more information \n\nhttp://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/4947/
704402
many Americans were mad about the ban of slavery and the duties levied upon them. The Mexicans also put down many restrictions upon their every day life, but in the end many Texans rebelled because they were greedy and wanted to be annexed by the U.S.
685385
Here's the thing...the US bought a huge chunk of the Southwest from Mexico in the first place.  If they want it back, I suggest they break out the check-book.
31920
why wouldn't they want to own more land? they were tryin to "grow" as a country...just did this in history class...
630123
The war between the U.S. and Mexico. The White settlers were being attacked by Mexicans & Indians since they were settling in areas they previously controled. But the Whites kept comming and fought back and eventually the U.S. government even helped out. After the Mexicans had their arses whipped they agreed (in return for us giving them back the capital - Mexico city that we occupied) to give us land that today makes up the 7 Southwestern States the mestizos want back. So in that war the U.S. gainged more territory for the White man than any other war we fought or via any other way. However the mestizos are getting it back since we are not defending it anymore. The war with Mexico was in 1848 to 1850 I think.
519038
Mexico has EVERYTHING it needs to be a top notch nation. except desire. These people either lack the know how or desire to do it. I sense a civil war is going to happen in Mexico soon. The people there need to find their "Neo"