The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the agreement signed on February 2, 1848, that ended the Mexican-American War and resulted in Mexico ceding a significant portion of its territory to the United States. This treaty not only marked a pivotal moment in the expansion of U.S. territory but also exemplified the belief in Manifest Destiny, as it fulfilled American ambitions to expand across the continent, leading to further debates about slavery and statehood in the newly acquired lands.
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The treaty was negotiated by American diplomat Nicholas Trist and was signed in Mexico City.
As a result of the treaty, Mexico ceded over 500,000 square miles of territory, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico.
The United States agreed to pay $15 million to Mexico as compensation for the ceded territories and assumed $3.25 million in claims by American citizens against Mexico.
The treaty highlighted tensions over slavery in the new territories, contributing to sectional conflicts that would later lead to the Civil War.
The ratification of the treaty faced opposition in Congress, especially from those who were against the expansion of slavery into new territories.
Review Questions
What were the key outcomes of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and how did they shape U.S. territorial expansion?
The key outcomes of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo included Mexico ceding vast territories to the United States, which significantly expanded U.S. borders and fueled further westward expansion. The acquisition included areas that would become California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This massive territorial gain was a realization of Manifest Destiny, reinforcing the belief that Americans were destined to spread across North America.
How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo contribute to debates over slavery in the United States?
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo intensified debates over slavery as it raised questions about whether new territories should allow slavery. The acquisition of land increased tensions between free and slave states, particularly highlighted by events such as the Wilmot Proviso, which proposed banning slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico. These debates created deep divides within Congress and contributed significantly to the growing sectional conflict leading up to the Civil War.
Evaluate the long-term effects of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on U.S.-Mexico relations and its implications for future territorial negotiations.
The long-term effects of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo fundamentally altered U.S.-Mexico relations by establishing a contentious border that would lead to future disputes. The loss of territory left a lingering sense of resentment in Mexico, affecting diplomatic relations for decades. Additionally, it set a precedent for future territorial negotiations, such as the Gadsden Purchase, demonstrating how issues from this treaty continued to influence American expansionism and foreign policy towards its southern neighbor.
The 19th-century doctrine that justified American expansion across the continent, asserting that it was a divine right for the U.S. to spread its civilization.