Donald Trump & Manifest Destiny

Monday, February 17, 2025 - 1:00pm
CST
Joe Belden

Manifest destiny was the belief that westward expansion of the US from 13 Atlantic colonies to the Pacific was natural, predetermined, and even divinely ordained. But were Indians, Mexicans, and the buffalo just in the way? This lecture will briefly examine and discuss such events as our expulsion and removal of Indian tribes; the US-Mexican war of 1846–48 and our seizure of more than half of Mexico; our violence towards native peoples; the Louisiana Purchase; private filibustering expeditions into Central America; our seizure of the independent nation of Hawaii; further empire building in the late 19th century; and Donald Trump's current plans for Greenland, Mars, Canada, and the Panama Canal.

Joe Belden is a Washington, DC- based writer and lecturer.  He has taught courses and lectured at American University’s OLLI program, the Biblioteca Publica and Allende Institute in San Miguel de Allende, and other venues. Topics have included “How Trump won the rural vote,” “Can Trump win again?,” “Bridging our divides,” and “The role of nonprofits.” From 1989-2015 he was Deputy Executive Director of the Housing Assistance Council, a Wash., DC, national nonprofit. He also worked at USDA, on Capitol Hill, and for several DC-based think tanks. He is the principal author of Housing in Rural America: Building Affordable and Inclusive Communities (Sage 1998; 2019) and Dirt Rich, Dirt Poor: America’s Food and Farm Crisis (Routledge 1986).

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 22, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
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Location:
La Biblioteca, Sala Quezal, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende

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Monday, September 29, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
Lee Ragsdale and Erick Nava Palomino
Location:
La Biblioteca, Sala Quezal, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende

As the partner of a formerly incarcerated and deported person, Lee Ragsdale has personal experience with the effects of incarceration and deportation on families. Lee and her husband Erick will join us to talk about deportation and reintegration in Mexico, offering a snapshot of current immigration/deportation... Read more

Monday, October 13, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
Film Screening
Followed by discussion with Brad Rockwell
Location:
La Biblioteca, Sala Quezal, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende

2025 Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary

Remarkable largely unknown footage of a dramatic turning point in world history covering events over three continents concerning a tragic coup in the Congo. Featuring: Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy... Read more