🌎intro to native american studies review

key term - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Definition

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was an agreement signed in 1848 that ended the Mexican-American War and resulted in the United States acquiring a significant portion of Mexico's northern territories, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. This treaty not only reshaped the map of North America but also had profound implications for tribal sovereignty and the rights of Native American peoples in these newly acquired lands.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848, and ratified by the U.S. Senate on March 10, 1848.
  2. Under the treaty, the U.S. paid $15 million to Mexico for the acquired territories and assumed responsibility for claims by American citizens against Mexico.
  3. The treaty promised to protect the property rights of Mexican nationals living in the newly acquired territories, but many Native Americans faced challenges to their sovereignty and land rights as a result.
  4. The acquisition of these territories intensified conflicts over land and resources with Native American tribes who had inhabited these areas long before European contact.
  5. This treaty marked a pivotal moment in U.S. history, setting a precedent for future treaties and negotiations involving Native American tribes and their claims to sovereignty.

Review Questions

  • How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo affect the landscape of tribal sovereignty in the newly acquired territories?
    • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo significantly impacted tribal sovereignty by redrawing territorial boundaries without regard for existing Indigenous land claims. As the United States expanded its territory, Native American tribes found their lands increasingly encroached upon by settlers and government interests. The promise to respect Mexican nationals' property rights often fell short for Native Americans, leading to further marginalization and loss of autonomy over their ancestral lands.
  • Discuss how the land grants resulting from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo influenced relationships between Native American tribes and new settlers.
    • Land grants issued following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo created tensions between Native American tribes and new settlers who were moving into these regions. While some Mexican landowners retained their rights under the treaty, many Native Americans were left vulnerable as settlers claimed land without recognizing Indigenous rights. This dynamic led to increased conflict over resources and territorial disputes, which further complicated tribal sovereignty during this period.
  • Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on Native American sovereignty and legal recognition in the United States.
    • The long-term consequences of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo have been significant in shaping Native American sovereignty and legal recognition. The treaty's failure to fully uphold Indigenous land rights laid the groundwork for ongoing disputes over land ownership and resource access in later decades. It also set a precedent for how treaties would be negotiated and enforced—or ignored—by the U.S. government, influencing subsequent generations' struggles for recognition of treaty rights and self-determination among Native American tribes.