Purchase land from Mexico

Definition

The purchase of land from Mexico refers to significant land acquisitions made by the United States, particularly the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, which involved buying territory in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico. This event highlights the era of Manifest Destiny, where many Americans believed it was their divine right to expand westward across the continent, seeking economic opportunities and new land for settlement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Gadsden Purchase added approximately 29,670 square miles to the United States.
2. The purchase was motivated by the desire to create a southern route for a transcontinental railroad.
3. President Franklin Pierce's administration negotiated the Gadsden Purchase to help improve relations with Mexico after the Mexican-American War.
4. This acquisition furthered the concept of Manifest Destiny by providing land for settlement and economic growth.
5. The purchase faced criticism from some factions who believed it was an unnecessary extension of U.S. territory.

Review Questions

• How did the purchase of land from Mexico reflect the ideals of Manifest Destiny?
  • The purchase of land from Mexico illustrated the ideals of Manifest Destiny by embodying the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. The acquisition of territories like those obtained through the Gadsden Purchase showed how expansionist policies were justified as a means to promote economic growth and settlement. This mindset not only fueled territorial ambitions but also contributed to tensions between pro- and anti-slavery factions as new lands entered the national conversation.
• Discuss the political implications of the Gadsden Purchase on U.S.-Mexico relations during the mid-19th century.
  • The Gadsden Purchase had significant political implications for U.S.-Mexico relations, as it was negotiated in the wake of the Mexican-American War. While it aimed to improve relations and facilitate economic development through a railroad, it also underscored ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding territorial disputes. The acquisition highlighted issues of sovereignty and national pride for Mexico, as many Mexicans viewed it as another loss following the war, complicating diplomatic relations well into the future.
• Evaluate how the concept of Manifest Destiny influenced U.S. foreign policy decisions, particularly concerning land purchases from Mexico.
  • The concept of Manifest Destiny profoundly influenced U.S. foreign policy decisions by creating a framework through which expansionist actions were rationalized. In pursuing land purchases from Mexico, such as those formalized in treaties and agreements, American leaders often framed these acquisitions as fulfilling a national destiny rather than mere territorial expansion. This belief justified aggressive negotiations and military actions under the guise of spreading democracy and civilization, leading to significant territorial changes that reshaped North America and established patterns for future U.S. foreign relations.

Related terms

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, resulting in Mexico ceding a large portion of its northern territories to the U.S., including California and New Mexico.

Gadsden Purchase:

A 1854 agreement between the U.S. and Mexico in which the U.S. acquired land for $10 million, aimed at facilitating a southern transcontinental railroad route.

Manifest Destiny:

The 19th-century belief that American expansion across the continent was both justified and inevitable, driving policies that led to significant territorial acquisitions.