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Native American Melting Pot

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In America, there is a term we use to define the U.S. population, which is, "The Melting pot." The integration of lifestyles, cultures, and beliefs in this metaphorical melting pot, has been simmering since the early 1500's. Spanish settlers migrated to new "worlds" determined to claim land promised to them by the Crown of Spain. Although, consequently, the natives had not realized that their way of life and all that it entails, would become among the first ingredients in the "pot" of U.S. history. Despite integration beginning with the emigrant settlers, they considered indigenous natives to be savage, second-class citizens on their own soil. In comparison to the superior standards of Spanish customs, protecting these very ideologies of superiority against the Native Americans happened peacefully, or by forcefully. The natives were simply out-matched in arms, against Anglo Americans, which is why the legacy of Hispanidad remains disparaged and vague. Therefore, whitewashed accounts of U.S. history must be revised to include Latino contributions, factors, and influences on the development of the United States of America, and not just ethnically. …show more content…

One such example is the city of San Antonio, named for Saint Anthony de Padua. Ironically, he is considered the patron saint of lost things which is exactly what befell the natives of this land. Devastatingly, the loss of land, people, and dignity suffered by the Natives Americans could now pray to this Saint brought before them by the foreign settlers. However, an "economic revolution"1 emerged as the European plants and animals successfully acclimated to their new home. Furthermore, some key factors also helped in shaping the history of Mexican

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