Takaki, Ch.7 Foreigners in their Native Land

In chapter 7, Takaki is able to accurately portray Americans disregard for other cultures brought on by capitalistic ideas and the Market Resolution. “Indeed, the Market Revolution had set in motion forces that were propelling American expansion toward the Pacific.” (166) The Native Mexicans predicted the expansion the Anglos expansion would be usntopable and knew they would have to either adapt or be conquered.

It is stated that the first Americans who migrated into the Mexican owned territory which is now California were generally accepted. They were offered land grants if the proved to adapt to their culture. Even for a while the American rebels who ventured west accepted these conditions and were willing to participate in local customs and ways of life. Yet as they began to migrate west by the thousands the whites began to develop their own idea for western civilization in America. The Mexicans distinguished the Yankees from “- their industry, frugality, sobriety, and enterprise. They found the whites to be impressed with California’s natural resources, its forest, grazing land, and harbors.” (171) It seemed unimaginable for any white traveler to pass up, it was the land of opportunity for the new immigrants. “By the 1840’s, more Yankees were entering Vallejo’s world, driven by dreams of wealth and land ownership generated by pamphlets and books about California. At this time America was also expanding through Texas. The Mexicans now began to realize that there was no stopping this white culture. America took Mexico over with force and money. They made deceived the Mexican natives into believing that it was for the better and for their own good. At the time the newly conquered Mexican believed the white people and began to dream of fortune and power. The Mexicans quickly recognized that this new government which promised them opportunity would concurrently prevent privilege and equality. Like many other non-white citizens the Mexicans were forced to manual labor with lower wage.

This chapter, like many others, provides us with the insight of how money and greed creates privilege and power. The fast paced and industrious white culture was able to prevail and conquer over any race of people that stood in their way because of those characteristics. It seems that American was found on written rules and beliefs which they preached yet never followed. Were they written to deceive those without wealth and power for the advantage of those in power? It certainly seems to be a recurring trend throughout the last few centuries.