In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War, with the United States acquiring vast territories from Mexico that included California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. Mexico ceded approximately 525,000 square miles of territory and received $15 million. The treaty also established the Rio Grande as the boundary between the two countries.
Structure of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, ended the Mexican-American War and defined the border between the United States and Mexico. It was a complex and controversial treaty, and its structure reflects the many different interests that were at stake.
The treaty is divided into 23 articles, each of which deals with a different aspect of the agreement. The first article, the preamble, states the purpose of the treaty and the parties involved. The second article defines the new border between the United States and Mexico, and the third article establishes the Rio Grande as the boundary between Texas and the United States.
The fourth article addresses the issue of American citizens who had moved to Mexico before the war. It grants them the right to choose whether to remain Mexican citizens or to become American citizens. The fifth article guarantees the rights of property owners in the ceded territories.
The sixth article prohibits the slave trade in the ceded territories, and the seventh article establishes a process for settling claims between the United States and Mexico. The eighth article provides for the extradition of criminals, and the ninth article establishes a commission to survey the new border.
The tenth article addresses the issue of religious freedom, and the eleventh article grants amnesty to all Mexican citizens who had participated in the war. The twelfth article establishes a process for the payment of claims by the United States to Mexico.
The thirteenth article addresses the issue of Mexican citizens who had lost their property during the war. It provides for the payment of compensation to these individuals. The fourteenth article establishes a process for the evacuation of Mexican troops from the ceded territories.
The fifteenth article addresses the issue of the debts of the Mexican government. It provides for the assumption of these debts by the United States. The sixteenth article establishes a process for the return of prisoners of war.
The seventeenth article addresses the issue of the status of Native Americans in the ceded territories. It provides for the protection of their rights. The eighteenth article establishes a process for the settlement of land disputes in the ceded territories.
The nineteenth article addresses the issue of the customs duties in the ceded territories. It provides for the establishment of a free trade zone between the United States and Mexico. The twentieth article establishes a process for the ratification of the treaty.
The twenty-first article provides for the exchange of ratifications of the treaty. The twenty-second article establishes the effective date of the treaty. The twenty-third article provides for the authentic texts of the treaty in Spanish and English.
Question 1: What were the key provisions of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
Answer: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, ended the Mexican-American War and established the border between the United States and Mexico. Under the treaty, Mexico ceded to the United States the territories of present-day California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. In exchange, the United States paid Mexico $15 million and assumed the claims of American citizens against Mexico. The treaty also guaranteed the property rights and civil rights of Mexican citizens living in the ceded territories.
Question 2: How did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo impact the United States?
Answer: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo significantly expanded the territory of the United States, adding approximately 525,000 square miles of land. It also increased the population of the United States by approximately 75,000 people, including Mexican citizens who remained in the ceded territories. The acquisition of this new territory had a profound impact on the United States, both politically and economically.
Question 3: What were the long-term consequences of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
Answer: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had several long-term consequences. It established the border between the United States and Mexico, which has remained in place to this day. It also set a precedent for the United States’ expansionist policies, as it was the first time the United States had acquired territory through war. The treaty also had a significant impact on the lives of Mexican Americans, who faced discrimination and violence in the United States. The treaty’s legacy is still debated today, with some arguing that it was a necessary step in the United States’ westward expansion and others arguing that it was a violation of Mexican sovereignty.
Whew, thanks for sticking with me through this history lesson! The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo sure was a doozy, right? It’s wild to think about how much our country has changed since then. I mean, can you imagine the US without California or Texas? Crazy! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little history break. If you’re thirsty for more, be sure to check back later for more articles on all sorts of exciting history topics. Thanks again for reading, and catch ya on the flip side!