Question

Despite being granted citizenship, what happened to the Hispanic Americans that chose to remain in the United States after the Mexican-American War?

a) They faced discrimination and marginalization.

b) They were given equal rights and opportunities.

c) They were sent back to Mexico.

d) They became political leaders in the U.S.

Answer 1

Despite being granted citizenship after the Mexican-American War, Hispanic Americans faced discrimination and marginalization, lost their land to White settlers, and were subjected to biased legal systems and institutionalized racism.

Step-by-step explanation:

After the Mexican-American War, Hispanic Americans who chose to remain in the United States were granted citizenship by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Despite this, they ultimately faced discrimination and marginalization. Though technically U.S. citizens with full rights, Hispanic Americans were outnumbered and outvoted by White settlers, which led to their relegation to second-class status. Property rights were often ignored, and legal battles usually ended in further impoverishment for those insisting on their rights. Additionally, working conditions were poor, and Hispanics were frequently forced into low-paying jobs. Over time, they faced institutionalized racism and segregation, as seen in the discriminatory policies such as Operation Wetback in the 1950s, which resulted in mass deportations, including those of legal Mexican American residents.