Gadsden Purchase

Definition

The Gadsden Purchase was a land acquisition made by the United States from Mexico in 1853, which added over 29,000 square miles of territory to the southern portion of the present-day state of Arizona and the southwestern corner of New Mexico. This purchase was crucial in the context of the Mexican-American War and the ongoing territorial expansion of the United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Gadsden Purchase was negotiated by James Gadsden, the U.S. Minister to Mexico, and was finalized in 1853 for a sum of $10 million.
2. The primary purpose of the Gadsden Purchase was to provide the United States with a southern route for a proposed transcontinental railroad, which would connect the eastern and western parts of the country.
3. The acquired territory was important for the United States as it provided access to the Gulf of Mexico and secured a route for a southern transcontinental railroad, which was seen as crucial for the country's economic and military interests.
4. The Gadsden Purchase was part of the larger process of U.S. territorial expansion during the 19th century, which was driven by the concept of Manifest Destiny and the desire to control strategic geographic locations.
5. The acquisition of the Gadsden Purchase territory contributed to the ongoing tensions between the United States and Mexico, as it further reduced Mexico's land holdings and reinforced the power imbalance between the two countries.

Review Questions

• Explain the key reasons behind the United States' decision to pursue the Gadsden Purchase.
  • The primary reason for the Gadsden Purchase was to secure a southern route for a proposed transcontinental railroad, which was seen as crucial for the United States' economic and military interests. The acquisition of this territory also aligned with the broader concept of Manifest Destiny, which drove the country's territorial expansion during the 19th century. Additionally, the Gadsden Purchase provided the United States with access to the Gulf of Mexico, further strengthening its strategic position in the region.
• Describe how the Gadsden Purchase was connected to the broader context of the Mexican-American War and the territorial expansion of the United States.
  • The Gadsden Purchase was a direct consequence of the Mexican-American War, which had resulted in the Mexican Cession of territory to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Gadsden Purchase was an additional land acquisition that further expanded the U.S. territory, contributing to the ongoing process of Manifest Destiny and the country's desire to control strategic geographic locations. This purchase was also seen as a way to solidify the United States' influence in the region and reduce Mexico's remaining land holdings, reflecting the power imbalance between the two countries in the aftermath of the war.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Gadsden Purchase on the relationship between the United States and Mexico.
  • The Gadsden Purchase had a significant and lasting impact on the relationship between the United States and Mexico. While the purchase provided the U.S. with valuable territory and strategic advantages, it also contributed to the ongoing tensions between the two countries. The acquisition of more Mexican land reinforced the power imbalance and further diminished Mexico's influence in the region. This fueled resentment and mistrust, which would continue to shape the complex and often contentious relationship between the United States and Mexico in the decades that followed. The Gadsden Purchase was a pivotal event that exemplified the United States' expansionist policies and its willingness to pursue its interests at the expense of its southern neighbor.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century American belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Mexican Cession: The territory ceded by Mexico to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War in 1848.

Territorial Expansion: The process by which the United States acquired new land and increased its geographic size, driven by factors such as Manifest Destiny and the desire for economic and political influence.