Understanding Mexican-American Intellectual Differences in the Age of Civil Wars

• In Event: Sexuality, Conflict, Community: Towards a Latine History of the Present

Abstract

In the major election of 1860, the Mexican Californios were at odds with each other about the direction of the United States. Having been absorbed into the United States after the U.S.-Mexican War and struggling to maintain their rights, the Mexican Californios chose different political directions. Torn apart, just like the United States was about to tear apart as well, the Mexican Californios joined both the Democratic and Republican Parties. They argued in newspapers and public forums. They drew on the language and discussions of Mexican intellectual thought and experiences in California to make their cases to their fellow Mexican Californios. It is in these different world views from within the Mexican Californio community that we can consider precisely what drives people apart and what are the roots of those differences.

One of the main areas of difference was in viewing different racial and ethnic groups and the Mexican Californios used the language of colonial New Spain and independent Mexico in their debates in the 1860s. As they considered the roles and significance of African-Americans, Latin Americans, Chinese peoples, and Native peoples and their potential for rights, the Mexican Californios engaged with Latin American thinkers and writers in newspapers and through travel and migration.

As we currently live on the precipice of many internal conflicts as a nation and the Latino community, it is critical to think about the 19th century conflicts to help us move forward. The late 19th century was a time of civil wars across the Americas and conflicting political values and cultures challenged nation building. As we consider the best ways forward today, we look at our archival sources and consider the best approaches. Considering new methods of intellectual history and new approaches from post-colonial thought, this project helps us consider all the ways that we might understand, across the differences.

Author

• Citlali Lucia Sosa-Riddell, California State University, San Marcos