Gadsden Purchase 1853
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Map above:
Gadsden Purchase 1853
Click Map to enlarge.
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The Gadsden Purchase is also called
the Treaty of La Mesilla.
La Mesilla was the Mexican name of
the land that changed hands, namely today's southern New Mexico and
Arizona.
US minister to Mexico,
James
Gadsden, sealed the deal with Mexican President
Antonio López
de Santa Anna on December 30, 1853, but the final treaty had to
undergo some amendments and was not ready until April 25, 1854.
Why Was the Treaty Necessary?
US railroad people envisioned a certain route
that, unfortunately, went through land that belonged to Mexico. The railroaders didn't
want to build their tracks through foreign country and hence the
treaty.
The US paid 10 million US$.
Check out the
United
States Expansion maps.
1835-1853 Mexico
See also
American Timeline.
More History
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