Diplomacy Classroom: U.S. Minister Poinsett, The First Diplomat to Mexico
2:00 pm
Virtual
The Poinsettia flower is a staple Christmas decoration each holiday season. What many do not know is that the flower holds a hidden story of American diplomacy. It is named after U.S. Minister Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first diplomat to Mexico after the nation’s independence.
NMAD’s Public Historian Dr. Allison Mann joined Diplomacy Classroom to discuss the life and career of the U.S. Minister, highlighting Poinsett’s passion for travel and learning languages as well as his work in Mexico and South America more broadly. Allison also explains the challenges Poinsett faced during his long career, having to navigate many changing political contexts and different U.S. Administrations.
Learn more about the flower and diplomat through the timestamps
The United States first recognized Mexico as an independent nation in 1822 and sent the first U.S. envoy in 1825. In 1846, the two nations went to war after the United States annexed Texas, which had broken away from Mexico and declared independence ten years earlier. At the end of the war,…
In the Civil War era, Americans from all walks of life discussed domestic politics and foreign policy. Debates on slavery were at the center of international relations.