Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Definition

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was an agreement signed on February 2, 1848, that ended the Mexican-American War. This treaty significantly altered the boundaries between the United States and Mexico, resulting in the U.S. acquiring territories that include present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The treaty not only concluded military hostilities but also shaped the future relationships between the two nations and influenced the demographic landscape of what would become the southwestern United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The treaty was signed by American diplomat Nicholas Trist and Mexican representatives after negotiations following a series of military victories by U.S. forces.
2. Under the terms of the treaty, Mexico ceded approximately 525,000 square miles of territory to the United States in exchange for $15 million and the assumption of certain claims against Mexico.
3. The signing of the treaty was controversial in both nations; many Americans viewed it as a fulfillment of Manifest Destiny, while many Mexicans saw it as a loss of their homeland.
4. The treaty established a boundary line along the Rio Grande River but also led to disputes over land ownership and rights in the newly acquired territories.
5. This treaty had lasting impacts on U.S.-Mexico relations and set the stage for future conflicts over border issues and civil rights for Mexican-Americans.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo change the territorial boundaries between Mexico and the United States?
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo resulted in Mexico ceding around 525,000 square miles of land to the United States, drastically altering territorial boundaries. This included present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The acquisition not only expanded U.S. territory but also raised questions about governance and rights in these regions.
• Discuss the political implications of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo for both Mexico and the United States.
  • The Treaty had significant political implications for both nations. For the United States, it solidified its expansionist policies under Manifest Destiny, reinforcing a belief in their right to territorial growth. In contrast, Mexico faced a crisis of national identity and governance as it lost significant territory, leading to internal strife and a re-evaluation of its sovereignty in subsequent years.
• Evaluate how the outcomes of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo influenced social dynamics in the newly acquired territories.
  • The outcomes of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo profoundly influenced social dynamics in the newly acquired territories. As American settlers moved into these regions, there were cultural clashes with existing Mexican communities. Issues such as land ownership disputes arose, particularly affecting Mexican landowners who faced discrimination and legal challenges. The treaty's aftermath also set into motion a broader narrative regarding civil rights for Mexican-Americans, whose status became contested in a rapidly changing American society.

Related terms

Mexican-American War:

A conflict fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, primarily over territorial disputes following Texas's annexation by the U.S.

Annexation of Texas:

The process by which the Republic of Texas was admitted to the United States as the 28th state in 1845, which was a major factor leading to the Mexican-American War.

Manifest Destiny:

The 19th-century doctrine or belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America.