The complexity of the U.S.-Mexico relationship is deeply rooted in a shared history marked by territorial conflicts, economic disparities, and cultural misunderstandings. One prominent historical example is the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and its aftermath.

The Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

1. Conflict Origins:

   • The war stemmed from disputes over the annexation of Texas by the United States in 1845, which Mexico still considered its territory after Texas declared independence in 1836.

   • The U.S. desire for westward expansion, driven by Manifest Destiny, further fueled tensions, especially over California and other territories.

1. The War:

1. • The U.S. invaded Mexican territory, leading to battles across present-day Texas, California, and deep into Mexico, including the capture of Mexico City.

   • Mexican forces, less equipped and internally divided, were ultimately defeated.

1. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848):

1. • Mexico ceded approximately half of its territory to the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and parts of several other states.

   • The U.S. paid Mexico $15 million as compensation, but the loss of land was seen as a national humiliation in Mexico and remains a source of historical grievance.

Lasting Impact:

• Territorial Loss and Resentment:

  • The loss of such a vast amount of land profoundly shaped Mexican national identity and fostered resentment toward the U.S., which Mexico saw as an imperialist power.

• Economic Disparities:

  • The war solidified economic inequalities between the two nations, as the U.S. emerged as a continental power while Mexico struggled with political and economic instability.

In 1940, the Nazis formed a Dutch branch of the Waffen-SS, recruiting Dutch men to serve in the German military forces. Many of these men were members of or sympathetic to the NSB, and they embraced Nazi ideology, including anti-Semitism. Thousands of Dutch men joined the Waffen-SS and were trained to fight alongside German troops.

- Role in Anti-Jewish Actions: While many Dutch SS recruits fought on the Eastern Front, some served in security operations within the Netherlands, assisting the Gestapo and SD (Security Service) in rounding up Jews, Communists, and other “undesirables.” The Dutch SS members were known for their brutality, often involved in raids on Jewish homes and synagogues.

- Deportation Assistance: Dutch SS forces aided in raids and arrests of Jews, contributing to the effectiveness of the Nazi deportation efforts. Many Dutch Jews, who had been hiding or using false identities, were discovered and captured due to Dutch SS members' cooperation.

 3. Henneicke Column and Economic Collaboration

The Henneicke Column, a group named after its leader, Wim Henneicke, was one of the most notorious collaborators involved in identifying Jews in hiding. Unlike the NSB or SS, the Henneicke Column was not motivated by ideology but rather by financial incentives offered by the Nazi occupiers.

- Bounty Hunters of Jews: The Henneicke Column specialized in tracking down and betraying Jews who were hiding or had gone underground. Each captured Jew resulted in a bounty paid by the German authorities, motivating members to pursue this “work” with zeal.

- Impact on Jewish Deportations: Between March and September 1943, the Henneicke Column captured around 8,000 Jews. Many of those captured were subsequently deported to concentration and extermination camps, including Auschwitz and Sobibor, where they were murdered.

 4. The Role of Local Police and Bureaucratic Collaboration

Beyond the NSB, SS, and Henneicke Column, the Dutch police and civil service also played a critical role in the Nazi’s anti-Jewish policies. Many Dutch police officers, administrators, and other civil servants cooperated with the Germans, either out of fear or in support of Nazi policies.

- Enforcement of Anti-Jewish Measures: Dutch police and bureaucrats were involved in enforcing anti-Jewish laws, including the registration and confiscation of Jewish property, the enforcement of ghettos, and the issuance of identity cards.

- Deportation Support: The Dutch police often assisted in the physical deportation of Jews from their homes to collection points and transit camps like Westerbork, from where Jews were sent to extermination camps. Some police and civil servants, though a minority, actively resisted these measures and aided Jews, but overall, a significant part of the Dutch bureaucratic apparatus contributed to the Nazi persecution.

 5. Impact of Collaboration on Dutch Jewry

Approximately 140,000 Jews lived in the Netherlands at the time of the German invasion. Due to widespread collaboration, including active participation by Dutch fascists and certain segments of the police and bureaucracy, around 75% of Dutch Jews were murdered, one of the highest death rates of Jewish populations in Western Europe.

Mexico lost a significant portion of its territory to the United States after the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848. This treaty ended the war and resulted in Mexico ceding about 55% of its territory to the U.S., which included present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas.

 Key Points:

1. Mexican Cession (1848): In the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico agreed to cede approximately 525,000 square miles of land to the U.S. in exchange for $15 million and the U.S. assumption of around $3.25 million in claims by American citizens against Mexico.

  2. Texas Annexation (1845): Before the war, the U.S. had already annexed Texas in 1845, which triggered the conflict. Texas had declared independence from Mexico in 1836 but was not officially recognised by Mexico, which led to tensions.

3. Gadsden Purchase (1853): Five years later, in 1853, the U.S. acquired an additional 29,670 square miles of land (in present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico) for $10 million through the Gadsden Purchase, which completed the current U.S.-Mexico border.