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Excerpt from a Proclamation of José Bernardo Gutiérrez De Lara

You are now, Fellow Soldiers, in peaceable possession of one of the outposts established by European tyranny the more effectively to enslave the oppressed Mexicans. This possession has been obtained without bloodshed on your parts, from a consciousness in the minds of the cowardly instruments of tyranny, that they never can prevail in arms against the brave, free and independent citizens of the United States of America.
What reason does De Lara give for defending Mexico?

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Final answer:

De Lara provides the reason for defending Mexico based on the desire for liberation from European tyranny and the demand for a better government for the oppressed. Historical efforts towards independence, such as those by Hidalgo and Morelos, highlight Mexico's struggle for social and political reform, leading to the eventual Declaration of Independence and conflicts with the US.

Step-by-step explanation:

José Bernardo Gutiérrez De Lara provides a reason for defending Mexico based on the aspirations of Mexicans to be free of European tyranny and to achieve a governmental form that is more beneficial to the population, particularly the oppressed and the poor. He acknowledges the acquisition of an outpost without bloodshed, attributing this to the oppressors' realization that they cannot succeed against the 'brave, free and independent citizens of the United States of America.'

The historical context surrounding the Mexican fight for independence shows several efforts to establish a free and independent Mexico, namely through the rebellion led by Miguel Hidalgo and the subsequent endeavors by figures such as José María Morelos and Agustín de Iturbide, which were driven by the desire for social and political reform.

These efforts ultimately led to the Declaration of Independence of Mexico and set the stage for future conflicts, including the U.S.-Mexican War, where the United States acquired significant territory and expanded its influence, aligning with beliefs of 'Manifest Destiny.'

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