The Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase, a pivotal agreement between the United States and Mexico, was finalized in 1854, five years after the end of the Mexican-American War. This transaction saw the United States acquire approximately 29,670 square miles of Mexican territory for $10 million. This land would eventually become part of present-day Arizona and New Mexico, shaping the southwestern landscape of the United States.
Historical Backdrop: Lingering Tensions After the Mexican-American War
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in February 1848, officially ended the Mexican-American War. However, the treaty did not completely resolve the underlying issues between the two nations. Tensions continued to simmer, particularly concerning the Mesilla Valley, a fertile area in southern New Mexico and far West Texas, which both countries claimed as their own.
Another source of contention was the issue of Native American attacks along the border. Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the United States had committed to protecting Mexico from such incursions. However, disagreements arose over whether the United States was obligated to financially compensate Mexico for damages resulting from these attacks. The U.S. government argued that while it had agreed to provide protection, it had not explicitly agreed to cover financial losses.
Adding to the friction were the persistent, often illegal, attempts by American citizens to enter Mexican territory and incite rebellions. These actions were aimed at seizing territory and further destabilized relations between the two governments.
The Transcontinental Railroad Ambition
Amid these strained relations, the United States was also focused on constructing a southern transcontinental railroad. This ambitious project required a suitable route through the region, but viable paths invariably crossed into Mexican territory. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec, located on the southern edge of North America, was considered as an alternative means of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
In 1847, the United States explored the possibility of purchasing the isthmus from Mexico. However, Mexico had already granted Don José de Garay, a Mexican citizen, the right to establish colonies for Americans in the area, funded by the New Orleans Company. Fearing a Texan-style rebellion, Mexican President Juan Ceballos revoked the grant, which angered U.S. investors who had placed their hopes on the project.
Escalation and Diplomatic Efforts
In 1853, tensions reached a boiling point when Mexican officials evicted Americans from their properties in the disputed Mesilla Valley. In response, Governor William Lane of New Mexico declared the Mesilla Valley part of the U.S. territory. Mexican President Antonio de Santa Anna, in turn, dispatched troops to the valley.
Recognizing the need to de-escalate the situation, U.S. President Franklin Pierce sent James Gadsden, the newly appointed U.S. Minister to Mexico, to negotiate with Santa Anna. Secretary of State William Marcy instructed Gadsden to secure a revised border that would accommodate the southern railroad route, resolve the financial obligations related to Native American attacks, and settle the monetary claims between the two countries pertaining to the railroad project.
Negotiations and Treaty
Gadsden and Santa Anna met on September 25, 1853, to begin negotiations. President Pierce, through Christopher Ward, an agent for U.S. investors, provided Gadsden with a range of negotiating options, from paying $50 million for a large portion of northern Mexico and Baja California to a smaller $15 million deal that would still secure the railroad route. Ward also falsely claimed that President Pierce wanted the claims of the Garay party to be addressed in the treaty, a request that Pierce never actually made.
Santa Anna, facing internal rebellions and in dire need of funds to support his army, refused to sell a large portion of Mexico. However, he was open to a more limited agreement. On December 30, 1853, Gadsden and Santa Anna signed a treaty stipulating that the United States would pay $15 million for approximately 45,000 square miles south of the New Mexico territory. The United States would also assume private American claims, including those related to the Garay deal. Additionally, the U.S. government agreed to prevent American raids along Mexico’s border, and Mexico would relinquish its claims against the United States for Native American attacks.
Ratification and Revision
The treaty faced significant hurdles in the U.S. Senate, which was increasingly divided between northern and southern states. After considerable debate and revisions, the Senate ratified a modified version of the treaty on April 25, 1854. The revised treaty reduced the payment to Mexico to $10 million and the land purchased to 29,670 square miles. It also removed any mention of Native American attacks and private claims.
President Pierce signed the revised treaty, and Gadsden presented it to Santa Anna, who signed it on June 8, 1854.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Gadsden Purchase had a mixed legacy. Although it established the southern border of the present-day United States, it did not resolve all the outstanding issues between the two countries. Disputes over the United States’ payment and unresolved financial claims and border attacks continued to cause tension.
However, the purchase did achieve its primary goal of securing land for a southern transcontinental railroad route. It also satisfied the expansionist ambitions of many Americans who believed that the United States was destined to expand further into Mexico, though that vision never fully materialized.
In conclusion, the Gadsden Purchase was a complex and consequential event in the history of the United States and Mexico. It reflects the intertwined histories, territorial ambitions, and enduring tensions between the two nations.