Painting by John Gast (1872) called American Progress is an
allegorical
representation of
Manifest Destiny. Is Russian annexation of Crimea the
latest version of that same
impulse so violently pursued by Washington?
Crimea and Texas: Russia's Version of Manifest Destiny
(Reforma, Mexico)
"Washington hasn't always opposed regions that declare themselves
free to join other states. Its current refusal to recognize Crimea as a part of Russia contradicts its previous positions. ... In 1835, the U.S. government supported the Texan
rebellion - of Anglos and Mexicans - which led to Texas independence in 1836. In
1845, Texas joined the American Union. ... It is fruitless to try to hold together a political entity
against the wishes of its people. Ukraine could not remain joined with Russia, but
neither could Crimea with Ukraine. ... I don't think there is any point asking
Washington to return Texas to Mexico. The opinion of Texans hasn't changed
since 1835."
James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States: One might say he makes Vladimir Putin look like a piker when it comes to acquiring the territory of another country.
"Patriotism
is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons." -- Bertrand
Russell
Washington
hasn't always opposed regions that declare themselves
free to join other states, whether or not it was the will of a majority the
population. Its current refusal to recognize Crimea as a part of Russia contradicts
its previous positions.
In
1835, the U.S. government supported the Texan rebellion - of Anglos
and Mexicans - which led to Texas independence in 1836. In 1845, Texas joined
the American Union, which was a factor in the 1846 war
against Mexico, and which led to the loss of half of the nation's
territory.
After
the war with Spain
in 1898, the U.S. coerced the independence of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the
Philippines. Puerto Rico now maintains the status of a commonwealth within the
American Union.
Perhaps
one might say that was a long time ago, but in recent years, the United States and
Western European powers have supported the independence of certain entities
like Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Kosovo, which
separated from the former Yugoslavia - or the current Serbia. They also
supported the breakup of the Soviet Union.
The
independence of these countries was a result of the popular will. Texans wanted
to join the United States; Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Philippines, sought separation
from Spain; the peoples of Yugoslavia wanted to cut their ties, despite the
resistance of the Serbs who were the dominant group; and Estonians, Lithuanian,
Belarusians, Ukrainians, and others, wanted to secede from the Soviet Union and
Russia. The principle of self-determination of peoples was used to justify all
of these separations.
Map of Mexico, Circa
1845. Washington hasn't always opposed
the succession of peoples
from one country, and their joining
another, particularly
when it serves its own interests.
A
different case is that of Slovakia, which separated
from Czechoslovakia in 1993 without a referendum and without it being clear
that the Slovaks really wanted independence. But Czechs authorities didn't resist,
since the Czechs were subsidizing the Slovaks.
Spain
insists that referendums for on independence for
Catalonia or the Basque
country are out of the question, since this would violate Spain's
constitution. Madrid opposed the independence referendum in Crimea because it
could be seen as a precedent for Catalonia. On the other hand, Madrid claims a
historic right to Gibraltar,
but maintains the territorial enclaves of Ceuta and
Melilla in Morocco.
Although
London questions the decision of Crimeans to join Russia, it has not refuted
the right of the Scottish
to organize a referendum of independence from the United Kingdom. In
Quebec, local politicians have held two failed referendums for separation from Canada,
and they have already announced a third. Western countries have accepted the incorporation
of Tibet in China, despite the fact that it was accomplished by force. In the issue
of the self-determination of peoples, convenience is stronger than principles.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
I
think, however, it is fruitless to try to hold together a political entity
against the wishes of its people. Ukraine could not remain joined with Russia, but
neither could Crimea with Ukraine, as it is suggested by the overwhelming result
and high turnout of the referendum, which favored annexation by Russia. Nikita Khrushchev
"gave" Crimea to Ukraine in 1954, but Crimeans never stopped being
Russian. Their uncertain future within Ukraine became clear when the government
that emerged from the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych
eliminated use of the Russian language.
Therefore,
I don't think there is any point asking Washington to return Texas to Mexico. The
opinion of Texans hasn't changed since 1835.
