key term - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Definition

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848, ending the Mexican-American War and establishing the Rio Grande as the border between Texas and Mexico. This treaty resulted in Mexico ceding a vast portion of its northern territories to the United States, significantly impacting the demographics and governance of what would become the New Mexico Territory.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The treaty resulted in the United States acquiring over 525,000 square miles of territory, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
2. It required the U.S. to pay Mexico $15 million in compensation for the acquired territories and assume $3.25 million in debt owed by Mexico to American citizens.
3. The treaty guaranteed certain rights to Mexican residents in the newly acquired territories, including property rights and religious freedom, but these guarantees were often violated in practice.
4. The signing of the treaty intensified debates over slavery in the new territories, contributing to sectional tensions that eventually led to the Civil War.
5. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo laid the groundwork for future U.S.-Mexico relations and set a precedent for territorial expansion through treaties.

Review Questions

• How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo reshape the political landscape of North America after its signing?
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo fundamentally altered the political landscape by ceding significant territory from Mexico to the United States. This expansion increased U.S. landholdings dramatically and raised questions about governance and integration of diverse populations. It also intensified national debates over slavery as new states were formed from this territory, influencing future political dynamics leading up to the Civil War.
• Evaluate the implications of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on Native American tribes in the newly acquired territories.
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had significant implications for Native American tribes, particularly as it ignored their sovereignty and rights in favor of U.S. expansion. With new American settlers moving into these regions, tribes faced displacement and loss of traditional lands. The treaty's failure to address Native rights set a precedent for future conflicts between Native Americans and expanding American interests, especially regarding land use and resources.
• Analyze how the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo reflects broader themes of Manifest Destiny and American expansionism in the 19th century.
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo exemplifies Manifest Destiny by showcasing America’s aggressive pursuit of territorial expansion. It not only reflects a fulfillment of this belief but also illustrates how military conflict was utilized as a means to achieve territorial goals. The acquisition of vast lands not only increased resources for the growing nation but also highlighted tensions surrounding cultural assimilation and governance in these new regions, setting a course for ongoing struggles between different cultural groups within an expanding nation.

Related terms

Mexican-American War:

A conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, primarily driven by the U.S. desire to expand its territory.

New Mexico Territory:

An organized territory created in 1850, encompassing present-day New Mexico and parts of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, which was established following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Manifest Destiny:

The 19th-century belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America, influencing American policies and actions, including the war with Mexico.