It was an unpopular war fought against a smaller, ill-defended nation in the name of national security.
Nope, not Iraq but the almost- forgotten invasion of our neighbors to the south. Spooky.
Through battle re-creations and interviews with historians, “The Mexican American War” devotes two hours to the 1846-48 conflict that enabled the United States to make off with half of Mexico (6 tonight, History Channel).
It was all about “Manifest Destiny,” the belief that America was anointed by God to rule the continent. Mexico’s ownership of much of the West stood in the way.
So President James Polk, backed by a patriotic and unquestioning Congress, raised the battle cry, “American blood spilled on American soil” and goaded Mexico into a war it couldn’t hope to win. When it was over, the U.S. owned 500,000 square miles of Mexico for a mere $15 million and controlled territory “from sea to shining sea.”
It’s a sobering look at the U.S. throwing around its military might. In the end, America got what it wanted but didn’t cover itself in glory.
University of Colorado assistant history professor Brian DeLay is one of many voices in “War” who find little noble in the U.S. victory. “We like to structure our history around important wars, particularly the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II,” says DeLay. “We remember these as conflicts where we were attacked. The Mexican war doesn’t fit this pattern.”
All about politics
Pay attention! The upcoming election is important, and local television is here to help us:
Aaron Harber and others discuss Amendment 40, designed to limit judicial terms (9 tonight, KBDI-Channel 12). It’s part of the station’s massive “Colorado Decides” series of 30 programs on the election leading to Nov. 7.
KUSA-Channel 9 carries the first of five debates on candidates and issues at 6 p.m. Saturday. The first one covers legalizing marijuana possession, gay marriage and school funding.
George Stephanopoulos, ABC News chief Washington correspondent, moderates a forum featuring gubernatorial candidates Bob Beauprez and Bill Ritter (6 p.m. Tuesday, KMGH-Channel 7).
Around the dial
Reader Bill Stewart on Rocky Mountain PBS’s decision to pull “Marie Antoinette”: “Are you sure the concern isn’t that any documentary showing kings getting their heads cut off isn’t too touchy for the current administration?” … All singing and dancing: “That’s Entertainment,” the 1974 collection of MGM musicals, always fun (8 p.m. Saturday, KRMA-Channel 6) … “Sam Cooke: Bring It on Home” honors the late gospel/R&B singer (7 p.m. Saturday, KUVO 89.3-FM) … Quotable: “The Civil War bulldozed the memory of the Mexican American War.” Brian DeLay
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
