We started with Mexico, and then repeated the pattern widely
Most U.S. citizens don't know that France occupied Mexico in the 1860's. In fact, they probably assumed that Spain was somehow in control, if they've thought about it at all. True, Spain was the main colonial bully, from the 1500's until, a fter eleven years of war (1810–21), New Spain became the sovereign nation of Mexico, with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba . A brief period of monarchy (1821–23) was followed by the founding of the Republic of Mexico, established under a federal constitution in 1824. That left free reign to the US to attack Mexico in 1846. We didn't really want to occupy the country like the Spanish--we just wanted to take half of the land, which we did in 1848 via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. So much for the Mexican-American War, and the glory of San Antonio and Davey Crocker and Sam Houston. Now we have Beverly Hills and Phoenix! So, 1848 passes. A half-sized Mexico continues, initiating a series of li...