Title: Why Mexico Belongs in North America | Geopolitical Futures
Headings: Why Mexico Belongs in North America
Why Mexico Belongs in North America
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Two hundred years later, the situation was completely reversed. Mexico’s territory was first reduced by the Louisiana Purchase, signed by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson in 1803. In 1836, the Republic of Texas formed and broke away from the main territory, and 10 years later the Mexican-American War started. Mexico lost this war and its territory north of the Rio Grande, which established the country’s modern borders. History shows that over the course of an epoch, power can easily rotate between different countries. Mexico’s location in North America along with its large population and large, resource-rich territory opens the possibility that the country will emerge as a potential power in the region in the long term. History has also taught us that over time, the seemingly impossible can become reality. While wealthy Spain was importing vast amounts of gold in the 1500s, it seemed crazy to imagine that 300 years later the sun would never set on the British Empire. Similarly, in 1800, Mexico seemed to have a decisive head start on dominating the North American continent. Two hundred years later, the situation was completely reversed.