Velasco, Sofia

Mr. Wisner

World History

Period 3

Date 2/10/17

With Trump, a resurgence of

Mexican nationalism at the border

Link: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/sd-me-baja-
nationalism-20170201-story.html

Key Vocabulary from the Article

o Nationalism- patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts.
o Aggrieved- feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.
o Bilateral- having or relating to two sides; affecting both sides.
o Gross domestic product- the total value of goods produced and services
provided in a country during one year.
o Turbulent- characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm.
o Staunchest- loyal and committed in attitude.

Summary of the Event

 Several cities in Mexico that are adjacent to the United States border have high
American influence. The city of Tijuana is a great example of this since it is surrounded
by U.S fast food restaurants and stores. Although there is a high presence of U.S
culture in this city, Tijuana residents have been recently clinging to their Mexican roots.
Mexicos nationalism has peaked ever since Donald Trump assumed presidency of the
United States.
Residents of border cities have to live their daily lives in a limbo. Many of them
have businesses and houses in both countries. Some of these residents even cross
daily to work, visit family, and go to school. Gilberto Leyva Camacho, president of the
Tijuana Chamber of Commerce, comments that We feel aggrieved, and we feel
offended, and that There is no need for so much aggression toward a neighboring
country when weve been brothers all our lives.
Mexicos current nationalism has even gone as far as organizing a boycott.
Mexicos Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has sent several messages through
social media asking Mexican residents to not cross to the other side! from 8 a.m. to 3
p.m. on Sunday, to let Trump know that we have dignity. On the other hand, some are
opposed to this boycott, stating that this can also hurt Mexican residents. They propose
that instead of boycotting San Diego businesses, they should join forces.
Donald Trumps decision to have Mexico pay for a border wall and to tax imports
from Mexico has damaged U.S-Mexican relations. Although the future for these two
countries in uncertain, a Mexican historian Lorenzo Meyer decided to comment in the
Mexico City newspaper Reforma. He states that the bilateral relationship has suffered a
drastic change, and neither the Mexican government nor Mexican society can pretend
that after the storm there can be a return to business as usual.

Your Opinion of the Event

My opinion of the event is that I believe building a wall on the Mexican-US border is
senseless. I do believe that every country needs immigration policies, but I dont think a
physical wall is the answer to solving problems in the United States. Donald Trumps
statement about making Mexico pay for the border wall is unreasonable in my opinion. If
he sincerely concludes that the United States needs a wall to keep illegal immigrants
away, then I believe it is unjust for Mexico to pay for his will. I am curious about how
Mexican and US trade relationships will be affected from this moment on, but I feel
content that Mexicans are unifying as a nation in these hard times.

Relate your Event to a Historical Event

My current event about Mexican nationalism since Donald Trump assumed presidency
relates to the Mexican-American war. The Mexican-American war began in 1846 and
ended in 1848, and Mexicos most recent nationalism roughly started at the end of
2016. The Mexican-American war started when Mexico refused to sell part of their land
to the United States. On the contrary, Mexicos recent nationalism aroused from the US
wanting a stricter immigration policy. These two events are similar because they both
united the Mexican people, with the purpose to defeat the United States. The Mexican-
American war led to Mexico losing significant part of their northern territory, but the
outcome of a wall on the Mexican border is still unknown.

Relate your Event to a sub theme

The article With Trump, a resurgence of Mexican nationalism at the border relates to
the Political Structures theme. In the Political Structures theme, this event relates to the
Nationalism sub theme. Nationalism is the sub theme for this event because Mexicans
are currently uniting and joining forces as a nation. They are remembering how proud
they are to be Mexicans, and they are now holding on to their Mexican roots. Donald
Trumps goal to have Mexico pay for the wall at the border is creating the Mexican
nation to try to come up with a solution. They are now together, trying to prove that their
people are not the reason for the problems in the United States.

Questions You Have About the Event

1. Is Donald Trump going to be successful in building a wall on the Mexican

border?
2. Is Mexico going to be forced to fund this wall?
3. How is this change in trade going to affect both the United States and
Mexico?
4. Can Donald Trump legally build a wall on the Mexican border?
5. How long will Mexico continue to boycott San Diego businesses?
6. What will be the changes in immigration laws?