Exploring the Mexican-American War and Its Aftermath

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of 19th-century Mexican history, focusing specifically on the causes and consequences of the Mexican-American War. It explores how Mexico, initially a new nation struggling for stability after independence from Spain, faced external pressures from American expansionism known as Manifest Destiny. The narrative guides viewers through the loss of Texas, the subsequent border disputes, and the war that resulted in Mexico losing half its territory. The video delves deep into the post-war era, examining the internal and external crises Mexico faced, including crushing foreign debt, the War of Reforms, and the French intervention. It highlights key historical figures like Benito Juárez and Porfirio Díaz, analyzing how the latter's policies opened the door to American economic imperialism. Key themes include national sovereignty, the economic impact of foreign investment, and the complex relationship between the United States and Mexico. For educators, this video serves as an excellent resource for teaching multiple perspectives in history. It explicitly challenges students to "walk in Mexico's shoes," fostering historical empathy and critical thinking. It connects political events to economic realities—showing how war debt leads to loss of sovereignty—making it a valuable tool for social studies, geography, and economics lessons about imperialism and nation-building.