Answer: The saying "did they cross the border, or did the border cross them" refers to the historical and complex nature of the borders between Mexico and the United States, particularly in the southwestern region that was formerly part of Mexico. The answer to this question depends on one's perspective and interpretation of history.
From the perspective of Native American peoples who lived in these territories long before the arrival of Europeans, the border certainly crossed them. The border was created through the process of colonization, which involved the forced displacement and relocation of indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands. From this perspective, the border was an arbitrary and unjust division that disrupted longstanding cultural and economic relationships.
From the perspective of Mexican residents of these territories, many of whom were living in the region prior to the Mexican-American War, the border crossed them as well. These residents suddenly found themselves living within a new country, subject to new laws and policies, and often treated as second-class citizens due to their Mexican heritage.
From the perspective of white settlers who arrived in the region during and after the Mexican-American War, the border was seen as a necessary and natural division that separated two distinct nations. These settlers often viewed Mexican residents as inferior and sought to assert their own dominance over the region.
Overall, the question of whether the people living in the former Mexican territories crossed the border or had the border imposed upon them is a complex and multifaceted issue that reflects the complicated history of the region.
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