Blood, Grit, and Glory: The American Story

Every square mile was paid for, built by sweat and sacrifice, and remains an unyielding testament to the strength of our nation.

Crazy how people talk like the U.S. and Mexico have nothing in common when their histories have been tangled up since day one.

Mexico used to be New Spain. The Spanish conquered the Aztecs back in 1521 and ruled for 300 years. They built Mexico City on top of Tenochtitlán and ran an empire that stretched into what is now California, Texas, Arizona, and more.

Fast forward. Mexico gains independence in 1821. Then, less than 30 years later, the U.S. fights the Mexican American War in 1846. After U.S. forces marched into Mexico City, Mexico was forced to sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, giving up more than half its territory. California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona and New Mexico, and parts of a few other states were gone. In exchange, the U.S. paid 15 million dollars and covered 3.25 million dollars in debt Mexico owed to American citizens. Does that sound like a fair trade? It wasn't. It was a surrender deal after war.

Then came the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. The U.S. needed land for a southern railroad route. So it paid Mexico another 10 million dollars for parts of what are now southern Arizona and New Mexico. That finalized the U.S. and Mexico border we know today. Mexico was desperate, broke, and led by Santa Anna, who is still hated by many Mexicans for selling them out.

And here is what no one seems to want to say out loud: Mexico barely held that land for 25 years. Most of it was wild, underdeveloped, and largely ungoverned. They inherited it from Spain, mismanaged it, and lost it. The U.S. turned it into thriving cities, railroads, farmlands, ports, highways, and military bases. Everything from Los Angeles to Houston to Tucson was built up by American workers, American engineers, and American law.

Mexico had it. America built it.

It was not taken. It was paid for. It was developed. It was defended.

Meanwhile, in the U.S., that land became part of westward expansion. New territories. New states. A larger nation that would eventually become the most powerful country on Earth. The fallout from these land deals also helped set the stage for the American Civil War. So we not only paid for it—we bled for it. And then we rebuilt it again.

So when you hear names like San Antonio, Los Angeles, or Santa Fe, remember they are not just Spanish names slapped on U.S. cities. They are remnants of a layered history that includes Indigenous nations, Spanish conquest, Mexican collapse, and American strength.

Bottom line. These histories are not just connected. They are inseparable.

And as for the idea that Mexico is entitled to take it all back?

No.

We paid. We fought. We bled. We built. We secured it under treaty and law.

That land is part of the United States of America now.
It is not up for debate.
It is not going anywhere.
And no one is giving it back.

Ever.