Before taking off, we should explore some geographic locations. Many Mexican-Americans can trace their heritage to the Southwest United States. However, the states in the midwest did not always belong to the U.S.
After Texas declared independence from the Republic of Mexico on March 2, 1836, Texas became the twenty-eighth state in 1845 after annexation. Then the Mexican Cession, which was originally called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, was signed on February 2, 1848 and ended the Mexican-American War. Because the U.S. won the war, they got to set the terms for the treaty. According to history.state.gov, Mexico exchanged fifty-five percent of its territory to the U.S. in exchange for fifteen million dollars. The Mexican Cession gave the U.S. possession of land later known as California, Nevada, Utah, and portions or Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Although the indigenous people were allowed to stay, Mexican-Americans faced huge negative side effects. According to bookbuilder.cast.org, many people lost their lives, struggled economically, and were viewed at as enemies. Tejanos , people who lived in Texas with Mexican descent, were discriminated against before, during, and after the Mexican-American War. Many had their property damaged and lost their homes.
Despite the great amount of hardships Mexican-Americans endured, they found ways to not only survive, but contribute to American Culture. One example is Tejano Music, especially that of Lydia Mendoza. Mendoza was born in 1916 in Texas to parents who migrated during the Mexican Revolution. She began her career by playing on the streets with her family who had formed a band. She started playing and singing solo when she debuted on the only Spanish-language radio program, and performed for only $3.50 a week. She recorder her first single, “Mal Hombre,” in 1934, which became an overnight hit to both people living in the United States and Mexico.
Tejano music, including Lydia Mendoza, contributed to much of the music we listen to today. Her music inspired “polka, blues, country, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and electronic music” (Lasala, 2017, Web.)
“Among the several nicknames Mendoza earned over her lifelong career, ttwo stand out: “La Alondra de Frontera” (The Lark of The Border”) and “La Concionera de Los Pobres” (“The Singer of The Poor”). They demonstrate how Mendoza’s identity is inextricably connected to the history of Tejano music.”
– Angela Lasala
Let's Take a Trip to Mexico! 