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Mexican-American War
The Mexican American war was a 4 year war that essentually cut Mexico in half. Once the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded large portions of Mexican territory to America, many Mexicans living in that area suddenly became ruled by a different power, becoming US citizens in seconds. President James K. Polk declared war on Mexico sending Gen. Achary Taylor through Mexico to capture Mexico city and win the war. -
The Cuban Revolution
The revolution was done to overthrowing a dictatorial regime that ran Cuba for many years . After the Cuban Revolution, Cubans fled for a better life in the US, espisually in Florida, where they have placed an impressive community. Some importent people who revolted in Cuba was Fidel Castro, the leader of the revolution and later the President of Cuba, and Che Guevara who was a military leader of the revolution. -
The Bracero Program
The US established this program during WWII, which brought over Mexicans to work in agriculture and railroad industries. This caused a sudden spike of Mexican-American communities. This provided cheap labor for these industries, as well as helping shape the Mexican American identity in its communities. Some key players are George P. Shultz who was the US Secretary of Labor and Manuel Avila Camacho who was the President of Mexico from 1940 till 1964.
The Bracero History Archive. -
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
This federal act ended national-origin quotas that had limited immigration from many Latin American countries. Once the act was put into law, there was a sudden influx of immigration from Latin American countries. Some importent people who advocated for the bill are Rep. Emanuel Celler and Senator Philip A. Hart, the bill is sometimes reffered to as the "Hart-Celler Act". National Archives – Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 -
The Chicano Movement
This movement took place during the 1960's till the 1970's, it wanted civil rights, educational reforms, and better working condictions for Hispanics. Some key players during the movement where Cesar Chaves and Dolores Huerta who led the "Grape Strike" in California's Central Valley. This movement led to the transormation of the identity, politics, and communities of Mexican Americans.
"El Movimiento: The Chicano Movement and Hispanic Identity in the United States"