Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Definition

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848, ending the Mexican-American War and leading to significant territorial changes in North America. This treaty resulted in Mexico ceding approximately half of its territory, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming, to the United States. The implications of this treaty have deeply affected the social, economic, and political landscape for Native American tribes in the newly acquired lands.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty resulted in the U.S. acquiring over 500,000 square miles of territory, fundamentally reshaping the nation's geography.
2. It guaranteed certain rights for Mexicans living in the newly acquired territories, including land rights and protection under U.S. law; however, many of these promises were not upheld.
3. The treaty marked a significant increase in tension between Anglo settlers and Native American tribes as new settlements expanded into their ancestral lands.
4. The consequences of the treaty set a precedent for future U.S. policies regarding Native Americans, often resulting in forced relocations and loss of land.
5. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo highlighted ongoing issues related to cultural assimilation and resistance among Native American tribes as they navigated a new political landscape.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo impact Native American tribes in terms of land rights and social structure?
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo drastically changed the landscape for Native American tribes by significantly altering land ownership and governance. Many tribes found their ancestral lands suddenly under U.S. control without adequate acknowledgment of their rights. This led to a reconfiguration of social structures as tribes faced encroachment from Anglo settlers and conflicts over resources became more pronounced.
• In what ways did the outcomes of the Treaty contribute to urban migration among Native American populations?
  • Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, many Native American tribes faced increasing pressure from settlers and the U.S. government to relinquish their lands, leading to displacement. As traditional lifestyles became unsustainable due to loss of territory, some individuals sought opportunities in urban areas for jobs and resources. This migration was often driven by desperation for survival in an increasingly hostile environment.
• Evaluate how the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo influenced contemporary tribal governance and relations with the federal government.
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo set a foundation for contemporary tribal governance as it highlighted issues around treaties between tribes and federal authorities. The unfulfilled promises made within the treaty regarding land rights created long-standing distrust towards federal relations that persist today. Contemporary tribal governance often involves navigating complex legal frameworks established post-treaty, focusing on sovereignty and efforts to reclaim lost lands while dealing with a federal government that historically has not honored treaty obligations.

Related terms

Mexican-American War: A conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, primarily over territorial disputes following the annexation of Texas by the U.S.

Land Grants: Legal allocations of land made by the U.S. government to individuals or groups, which often led to conflicts with Native American populations after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century doctrine that it was the divine right and destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America, significantly influencing policies and actions regarding Native Americans.