Gadsden Purchase

Definition

The Gadsden Purchase was an 1854 agreement in which the United States acquired a 29,670 square mile region from Mexico, located in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico. This land acquisition was significant as it aimed to facilitate a southern transcontinental railroad route and marked the final territorial acquisition of the contiguous United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Gadsden Purchase was negotiated by James Gadsden, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who sought to secure land for a southern transcontinental railroad.
2. The purchase was controversial and faced opposition from both Northern and Southern politicians, reflecting regional tensions over expansion and slavery.
3. This acquisition helped complete the contiguous United States as we know it today, resolving some border disputes following the Mexican-American War.
4. The Gadsden Purchase cost the U.S. $10 million, which some contemporaries considered excessive for what they deemed barren land.
5. The significance of this purchase extends beyond its immediate geographical impact; it influenced U.S.-Mexico relations for decades and played a role in debates over slavery and sectionalism.

Review Questions

• How did the Gadsden Purchase reflect the ideas associated with Manifest Destiny?
  • The Gadsden Purchase exemplified Manifest Destiny by illustrating the American belief that the nation was destined to expand its territory across North America. This acquisition not only facilitated the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad but also represented a physical embodiment of America's desire to extend its influence and ensure economic growth. The purchase demonstrated how territorial expansion was seen as a means to achieve national progress and prosperity.
• Discuss the implications of the Gadsden Purchase on U.S.-Mexico relations during the mid-19th century.
  • The Gadsden Purchase had significant implications for U.S.-Mexico relations as it occurred shortly after the conclusion of the Mexican-American War and further strained diplomatic ties. While it aimed to settle lingering border issues and facilitate trade, many Mexicans viewed it as an example of American imperialism and exploitation. The purchase fostered distrust between the two nations and set a precedent for future territorial disputes that would arise in subsequent decades.
• Evaluate how the Gadsden Purchase contributed to sectional tensions in the United States leading up to the Civil War.
  • The Gadsden Purchase intensified sectional tensions by reigniting debates over slavery's expansion into newly acquired territories. Southern leaders supported acquiring land for new slave states, while Northern opponents feared that this would extend slavery's reach, exacerbating existing conflicts. The differing regional perspectives on this issue highlighted deep-seated divisions that contributed to the polarization of American politics in the lead-up to the Civil War, making the purchase a pivotal moment in understanding pre-war tensions.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny:

A 19th-century doctrine that justified American expansion across the North American continent, believing it was the nation's destiny to spread democracy and capitalism.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in Mexico ceding a large portion of its territory to the U.S., including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

Railroad Expansion:

The growth of railroad networks in the United States during the 19th century, crucial for economic development, westward expansion, and connecting distant regions of the country.