Final answer:
The justifications for the Mexican-American War and the subsequent discriminatory actions taken in its aftermath, such as land dispossession and political marginalization of Mexicans, mirror the racial biases exhibited during the period of Indian removal. The struggles over slavery extension into new territories further escalated the tensions, indicative of underlying racism. Overall, both situations were deeply marred by racial prejudice and economic exploitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The justifications for the Mexican-American War were often rooted in racism and a feeling of superiority by the Americans, similar to their attitude towards the Native American tribes during the time of Indian removal. The sentiment of Manifest Destiny, which suggested that the United States was destined to spread across the North American continent, often disregarded the rights and sovereignty of people of non-European descent.
Post-war actions further evidenced the racial bias. For instance, in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, Mexican populations in Texas and California were dispossessed of their lands, politically marginalized, and increasingly distanced from dominant society.
Furthermore, the Mexican Cession led to increased tension over the extension of slavery. These tensions were exacerbated by events such as the Wilmot Proviso and the Compromise of 1850, which heavily divided Congress on the issue of slavery in new territories. We can draw parallel with the Indian Removal Act, where the Native Americans' rights were also violated for the expansion and settlement of the Anglos.
Equivalent to anti-Indian sentiments, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans were subjected to systematic discrimination and hostility, often being referred to derogatorily as 'Greasers.' The California Greaser Act illustrates the codification of this discrimination, serving to politically and socially disenfranchise Mexican-Americans.
Similar to the anti-Indian movement, the actions in the aftermath of the Mexican-American war were driven by racial bias and economic interests, illustrating the inherent racism that infected both situations.
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