The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927 Page: 78
330 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Sou-thwestern Historical Quarterly
not dissent. We are of the opinion, however, that the author's
manner of treatment might lead to the assumption that Seward
has been accorded greater credit than he deserves for the with-
drawal of the French. The collapse of Napoleon's project was
written in the book of time, whereas Seward's service was in the
preservation of American neutrality. American assistance to
Juarez in the last days of Maximilian's stand is worthy of mention.
With the conclusion of the Civil War and the re-establishment
of Mexican independence, a new era in the relations of the United
States and Mexico was inaugurated. Formerly the American at-
titude had been one of aggression and eagerness for territory;
henceforth it was to be marked by a strong desire for investment
opportunities and commercial intercourse. "Manifest destiny was
giving place to economic penetration" (p. 278). The new era
was not to be born without travail. The greatest impediment to
friendly relations in the decade subsequent to 1867 was the state
of affairs on the border. The accumulated grievances occasioned
by Indian raids, smugglers, filibusters, and border ruffians reached
a crisis in 1877-1879 after Porfirio Diaz had seized the Mexican
government. The H-ayes administration chose, as did Secretary
Hughes respecting the recognition of Obreg6n, to insist on a
formal treaty of guarantees as the price of recognition. It is
significant that both attempts failed, although the Diaz victory
was more complete. It is likewise significant to note that on
both occasions the American government was forced to forego its
demands because of the pressure of American interests which had
various motives for wishing to resume relations with Mexico.
Although "Diaz refused to grant [concessions] by open and
formal proclamation from the housetops he gradually yielded in
the secret places of the palace" (p. 311). Recognition received,
he invited a flood of American capital, which came near submerg-
ing his nation. It indeed appeared that Seward's "expectation
that Mexico would eventually be acquired by the gradual process
of Americanization which would result from the emigration of
capital and colonists from the United States" (p. 277), was to
be realized. By the close of the year 1911, American holdings
in Mexican railroads were valued at almost $650,000,000, and
American mining properties were worth $250,000,000. American
holdings in farms, ranches, and timber lands reached almost
$80,000,000 by 1912. This does not suggest the vast extent of
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927, periodical, 1927; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117142/m1/86/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.