History of Mexican Americans
Okay kiddo, let's talk about the history of Mexican Americans!
First of all, do you remember when we talked about how there were different groups of people who lived in North America before it became the United States? One of those groups was called the Aztecs, and they lived in what is now Mexico.
When the Spanish came to Mexico in the 1500s, they took over and made it a colony of Spain. This meant that for a long time, the people who lived in Mexico were controlled by the Spanish.
But in the 1800s, Mexico became independent from Spain, and some Mexicans came to live in what is now the United States. At that time, Texas was still part of Mexico, and some Americans went to live there. But after a while, they started to want their own country, and there was a war between the United States and Mexico.
In the end, the United States won the war and took over what is now California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. This meant that many Mexicans who had been living in those places suddenly found themselves living in a different country.
It wasn't always easy for Mexican Americans. Sometimes, they faced discrimination and prejudice because of their Mexican heritage. But over time, they started to form their own communities and contribute to American culture in all sorts of ways. They became writers, artists, musicians, politicians, and more!
Today, there are millions of Mexican Americans in the United States, and they continue to have a rich and important role in our country's history and culture.
First of all, do you remember when we talked about how there were different groups of people who lived in North America before it became the United States? One of those groups was called the Aztecs, and they lived in what is now Mexico.
When the Spanish came to Mexico in the 1500s, they took over and made it a colony of Spain. This meant that for a long time, the people who lived in Mexico were controlled by the Spanish.
But in the 1800s, Mexico became independent from Spain, and some Mexicans came to live in what is now the United States. At that time, Texas was still part of Mexico, and some Americans went to live there. But after a while, they started to want their own country, and there was a war between the United States and Mexico.
In the end, the United States won the war and took over what is now California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. This meant that many Mexicans who had been living in those places suddenly found themselves living in a different country.
It wasn't always easy for Mexican Americans. Sometimes, they faced discrimination and prejudice because of their Mexican heritage. But over time, they started to form their own communities and contribute to American culture in all sorts of ways. They became writers, artists, musicians, politicians, and more!
Today, there are millions of Mexican Americans in the United States, and they continue to have a rich and important role in our country's history and culture.