Read this quote from a history textbook. Using the quote and your knowledge of history, answer the questions in complete sentences.
“The result of that war {Mexican War} was lamentable (regrettable) not only for our country but also lamentable for the reputation of the Americans. The despoliation (ruin) which we suffered was qualified as a real robbery even by citizens of that country.... [Wars] cost, also, much bloodshed which, when poured out in order to serve injustice and oppression, does not pay at all, for it does not even receive the applause of history."
-Second Course in National History (translated from Spanish), a history textbook
Questions:
1) From whose perspective is this excerpt written?
2) Summarize this source. What is the author saying?
3) Why do you think the author is saying this?
1) This excerpt is written from the perspective of the Mexican author or narrator.
2) The author is expressing regret and lament over the outcome of the Mexican War, stating that it was not only detrimental to the country, but also damaged the reputation of Americans. The author mentions the "despoliation" or ruin suffered by Mexico, which was perceived as a real robbery even by citizens of the United States. The author also highlights the cost of wars in terms of bloodshed, expressing the belief that when this bloodshed occurs for the sake of injustice and oppression, it does not bring any positive results or historical praise.
3) The author is likely saying this to convey the negative consequences and impacts of the Mexican War from the perspective of Mexico. They express regret over the loss and ruin that their country suffered, and criticize the actions of the Americans, portraying the war as an act of theft and exploitation. The author's mention of bloodshed and injustice indicates a critique of the motives and justifications for the war, suggesting that it brought no positive outcome and did not merit recognition or approval in history.
now write it like an 8th grader
1) The person who wrote this piece of text is looking at things from Mexico's side.
2) The writer is saying that the Mexican War was really bad and made things worse for the country. They think it also made Americans look bad. They say that Mexico was ruined and people from the United States even called it a robbery. The writer also talks about how wars cause a lot of bloodshed, but when it's used for unfair things, it's not worth it. They think that history doesn't give any praise for that kind of stuff.
3) The author is saying this because they probably didn't like what happened in the Mexican War. They feel sorry about how it affected their country and believe that the Americans did wrong. They also believe that causing so much bloodshed for unfair reasons doesn't make any sense and doesn't get any recognition in history.