People Involved:
President Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana of Mexico
- President of Mexico at the time
- Lost over 42% of of Mexico (Mexican Sessesion of 1848) under his leadership
- Incurred much debt due to Mexican-American War and putting down rebellions
President Franklin Pierce of US
- President of the United States at the time
- Pro-South; aimed at releasing the South from economic dependency on the North and
creating a South-dominated America
- Appointed fellow Southerner James Gadsden as Ambassador to Mexico
- President of the United States at the time
- Pro-South; aimed at releasing the South from economic dependency on the North and
creating a South-dominated America
- Appointed fellow Southerner James Gadsden as Ambassador to Mexico
Ambassador James Gadsden of US
- From South Carolina (Pro-South)
- Grandson of Christopher Gadsden, famous for his "Don't Tread on Me" flag during the Revolutionary War
- Soldier and Diplomat during the Seminole War (1817-1818) in Florida
- President of the South Carolina Railroad Company from 1840-1850
- Negotiator of the Purchase, and therefore it's namesake
- From South Carolina (Pro-South)
- Grandson of Christopher Gadsden, famous for his "Don't Tread on Me" flag during the Revolutionary War
- Soldier and Diplomat during the Seminole War (1817-1818) in Florida
- President of the South Carolina Railroad Company from 1840-1850
- Negotiator of the Purchase, and therefore it's namesake
Setting the Stage:
What Led up to the Purchase:
- Manifest Destiny: Americans wanted to add territory and spread American culture and ideals around the continent. In addition, the United States already controlled the rest of what is now the continental US
- Mexican American War/Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848): After winning the War, Mexico seceded 42% of its land, including what is now California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
- The California Gold Rush: With important cities and commerce to be found on the West Coast there grew a need for a transcontinental railroad
- A North-Dominated Economy: Southern politicians wanted to have the railroad pass through the South as to boost their economy, as well as influence the West (i.e. slavery, agricultural economy) and change the status quo.
- Manifest Destiny: Americans wanted to add territory and spread American culture and ideals around the continent. In addition, the United States already controlled the rest of what is now the continental US
- Mexican American War/Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848): After winning the War, Mexico seceded 42% of its land, including what is now California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
- The California Gold Rush: With important cities and commerce to be found on the West Coast there grew a need for a transcontinental railroad
- A North-Dominated Economy: Southern politicians wanted to have the railroad pass through the South as to boost their economy, as well as influence the West (i.e. slavery, agricultural economy) and change the status quo.
The Gadsden Purchase:
From the top left clockwise: the flat terrain of the Mesilla Valley was suitable for railroad building; the land acquired during the purchase; in dark green is the amount of land Gadsden was instructed to buy, however he returned with only the light green; the Gadsden territory was purchased more for transportation purposed rather than competently Manifest Destiny, and only happened because of Northern economic domination and gaining the Western territory.
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In the years before the Civil War tension was increasing as the South was getting tired of economic dependency on the Industrial North, and with the newly acquired Western Territories they found an opportunity to expand their influence. Once elected, Pro-South President Franklin Pierce wanted to build the first transcontinental railroad in America connecting the rich West Coast with the East, but specifically ending in the South as to boost the Southern economy. In order to do that, however, America would need the less mountainous terrain of the Mesilla Valley, which went through Mexican Territory. Appointed Ambassador to Mexico, the ex- President of the South Carolina Railroad Company James Gadsden met with the Mexican President on September 25, 1853 to purchase up to 33% of Mexico, including much of Northern Mexico and Baja California with a budget of $50 million, although he minimally needed the Valley. Mexico, on the other hand, did not want to give up that much land, especially since it had just given up nearly half in the Secession of 1848 under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. But the Mexican Army needed money to put out the rebellions across the country and so agreed to sell a much smaller portion of land. After almost a year of negotiation,on June 8, 1854, Congress agreed to pay $10 million for 29,640 square miles of land that now makes up a quarter of Arizona and part of New Mexico. Purchasing the Gadsden territory was the last addition to the contiguous United States and marks the end of Manifest Destiny. And even though it is such a big part of American history, it only happened because of prior acquisitions; without first having annexed Texas, purchased the Louisiana Territory, and gained the 1848 Mexican secession there would be no need for an American transcontinental railroad. And although a railroad was the main reason for buying the land, the Civil War interrupted its construction and by the time the South could make one, the North had already beaten them to it. |