Quote:
Originally Posted by deltav
At that time the Brits militarily opposed us on the north part of the west coast (today's Oregon), there was a shit ton of tension and it almost came to war at that time ("Fifty Four Forty Or Fight!") until the treaty was signed just before we invaded Cali/Mexico. They weren't happy but had to suck it up because they had the Irish famine to deal with then and liked trading with us, kinda like the West re:Russia today where I don't think Putin's crying too bad over our sanctions.
Far as social and political upheaval from the invasion, you might call it nonsense but it was very real. There was huge opposition to invading including Lincoln, John Quincy Adams, Thoreau (he was thrown in jail for refusing taxes for the war), all the Whigs, etc. Here are some Whig quotes I just grabbed in 30 seconds of searching:
"In the murder of Mexicans upon their own soil, or in robbing them of their country, I can take no part either now or hereafter. The guilt of these crimes must rest on others. I will not participate in them." -Robert Toombs
"We charge the President with usurping the war-making power ... with seizing a country ... which had been for centuries, and was then in the possession of the Mexicans.... Let us put a check upon this lust of dominion. We had territory enough, Heaven knew." -Josh Giddings
All I'm saying is, you say no hissy fits were thrown. When in fact lots of hissy fits were thrown.
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yeah. point taken. but my point was, what is the USAs & europes buziness getting all mad about the local affairs of territory russia has controlled since before the USA even existed.
you are right there was internal hissys in america. but there were internal hissys in america about every issue under the sun from slavery to the fate of indians to industrialization to the US bank.
perhaps my comment should have been more clear in that regard. in any case, britain didnt do anything but cut a deal. at least they had some legit interest in territory we wanted, in contrast to ukraine which is not our business in any way whatsoever.
thats what i was trying to say...