Gadsden+Purchase+-+Olivia+and+Jin+Kwon

=The Gadsden Purchase - Olivia Edwards and Jin Kwon=

//Important Dates//
//1839 - James Gadsden becomes president of the South Carolina Canal and Rail Road company//

As James Gadsden became nominated as president, his dreams of a transcontinental railway were closer to becoming reality. His ambitions could however only start a full decade later, right after the Mexican American War.

//1846-1848 - Mexican American War//

The Mexican American war was instrumental in the establishment of the Gadsden Purchase mainly because it was during this war that relationships between the two countries became bitter. Even after the bloodshed, Americans and Mexicans still argued since the borders weren't necessarily clear. However simply put, this was the event that soured the relationship between the Americans and Mexicans.

//1849 - Construction of the transcontinental rail road//

After the war, James Gadsden began to construct a transcontinental railway and fulfill his dreams. He wanted to match up to the economic superiority in the East and thought that this railway would hopefully increase trade and specific economic activities. By this date he completed around 219 km of track. However building the track took not only a surplus of effort, but an irrational amount of money.

//June 24, 1853 - President Franklin Pierce signs the treaty that confirms the purchase of what is today known as Arizona and New Mexico for around 236 million dollars.//

Despite the debt Gadsden was in, he continued his project and realized that the terrain over most of Mexico consisted of harsh mountain tops. He decided that he had to go further into Mexico and establish the end of his railroad there. This created tension amongst him and the Mexicans especially because of the previous war. In order to settle all this conflict, a treaty concerning the Gadsden Purchase was made and in memory of his name, is remembered for taking a bit of land for approximately 236 million dollars.

The Why
So exactly why did the Americans want this piece of land? It's small, it's barren, and very dry. What could the Americans get from this land and was 236 million dollars really worth it?

These questions are simple to answer. As mentioned before, James Gadsden was attempting to fulfill his dream of creating a railway that would go from one coast of the Atlantic Ocean to another at the Pacific. However, in order to do this, they had to cut through Mexico in order to do so.

Much of Mexico's poor environment didn't seem like a very reasonable area to grow a railroad. Thus, Gadsden and other men embarked to take this land from the Mexicans. This land contained land that was suitable for the rail tracks and could easily be used in comparison to placing a full set of tracks up in the mountains. Gadsden wanted good Mexican land to set his tracks and continue adding on to it from there. However the Mexicans were enraged at this idea and resisted reluctantly.

The Mexicans like their land was theirs to keep, especially because the United States and Mexico signed a treaty known as the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Once the United States broke the rule and intruded into enemy territory, all conflict started to form.

Most importantly, the Mexicans and the Americans basically had a mini-war. The two countries kept on fighting over which land was theirs due to the unclear boundary between Mexico and the USA at that time. It was clear that the United States and Mexicans despised each other and both felt like it was their right to fight for their land. For example, during the year of 1853, Americans were kicked out of their land that Mexicans believed was theirs. America responded by staying that this land was originally part of New Mexico. Enraged, but perplexed, the two nations needed to find a way out of this conflict. Thus, in order to avoid another Mexican American War, the two countries carefully negotiated.

Approval
Apparently the USA and Mexico did not agree with each other at all and it had to take a full 2 year war in order to settle this dispute. The United States wanted specific amounts of Mexican land for their transcontinental railway. Mexico had other days and completely rejected the idea due to it's past with the Americans. However, both sides were not giving up easily. The Mexicans were kicking Americans off Mexican territory and the Americans were claiming that the land being fought over belonged to them. However because the boundary wasn't (and still isn't), neither sides had a stronger side than the other in terms of reasons. Despite completely disapproving of giving land, both sides eventually succeeded in finding an agreement that they did approve. The Mexicans said they would provide this land for America if they were given $10 million (236 mil. today).

** The Impact: ** The people were unhappy with the outcome of the treaty. Many people wanted to act against it and actually did by sending Santa Anna out of office. However, this area of land was more or less no man’s land so was mostly uninhabited. It did not effect people in this sense. They did not tend to lose land over the purchase but did feel like it was their land being taken away because it belonged to their community and their population, not the states. However, they were still highly effected by the treaty and were unhappy with it until Gadsden took the position of minister over Santa Anna.

**Changes to the US:**

The territory desired by Gadsden and his group was then a sort of no man's land, experiencing frequent Indian raids. The United States wanted to make certain "boundary adjustments"; Mexico needed money and wanted a settlement of her Indian claims against the United States; and Gadsden and his friends wanted a route for their railroad. In 1852 Gadsden agreed to pay Santa Anna $10,000,000 for a strip of territory south of the Gila River and lying in what is now southwestern New Mexico and southern Arizona.

The deal was so unpopular in Mexico that Santa Anna was unseated as dictator and banished. Gadsden was recalled as Minister to Mexico for mixing in Mexican politics and domestic affairs and did not live to see the Southern Pacific Railroad built through his purchase. When the inhabitants of Arizona asked Congress for a Territorial government in 1854, one of the names suggested for the new Territory was Gadsonia, a Latin adaptation of the surname of James Gadsden.

After Gadsden's Purchase a new border dispute caused tension over the United States' payment, and the treaty failed to resolve the issues surrounding financial claims and border attacks. However, it did create the southern border of the present-day United States, despite the beliefs of the vast majority of policymakers at the time who thought the United States would eventually expand further into Mexico.

Overall, the impact that this treaty had on the US was equally tied. As mentioned in the last question, the people of Mexico found this to be extremely infair and saw it as a very bad decision made at the time. However, if you look at what the treaty did; giving the US the outline that it has today, it was definitely a good thing that the treaty happened. Although the US did not expand more into Mexico as the policy makers thought, it was still effective in outlining the borders that are still used and accepted today. People felt like they were losing their land even though it did not technically belong to them. It did not technically belong to the US either, thus the basis of its appeal. It was no man's land.
 * Overall Outcome: **


 * Visual Aid:**

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 * The Actual Treaty:

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IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD:
The Republic of Mexico and the United States of America desiring to remove every cause of disagreement which might interfere in any manner with the better friendship and intercourse between the two countries, and especially in respect to the true limits which should be established, when, notwithstanding what was covenanted in the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in the year 1848, opposite interpretations have been urged, which might give occasion to questions of serious moment: to avoid these, and to strengthen and more firmly maintain the peace which happily prevails between the two republics, the President of the United States has, for this purpose, appointed James Gadsden, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the same, near the Mexican government, and the President of Mexico has appointed as Plenipotentiary "ad hoc" his excellency Don Manuel Diez de Bonilla, cavalier grand cross of the national and distinguished order of Guadalupe, and Secretary of State, and of the office of Foreign Relations, and Don Jose Salazar Ylarregui and General Mariano Monterde as scientific commissioners, invested with full powers for this negotiation, who, having communicated their respective full powers, and finding them in due and proper form, have agreed upon the articles following:

The Mexican Republic agrees to designate the following as her true limits with the United States for the future: retaining the same dividing line between the two Californias as already defined and established, according to the [|5th article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo], the limits between the two republics shall be as follows: Beginning in the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, opposite the mouth of the Rio Grande, as provided in the [|5th article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]; thence, as defined in the said article, up the middle of that river to the point where the parallel of 31° 47' north latitude crosses the same; thence due west one hundred miles; thence south to the parallel of 31° 20' north latitude; thence along the said parallel of 31° 20' to the 111th meridian of longitude west of Greenwich; thence in a straight line to a point on the Colorado River twenty English miles below the junction of the Gila and Colorado rivers; thence up the middle of the said river Colorado until it intersects the present line between the United States and Mexico.

For the performance of this portion of the treaty, each of the two governments shall nominate one commissioner, to the end that, by common consent the two thus nominated, having met in the city of Paso del Norte, three months after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, may proceed to survey and mark out upon the land the dividing line stipulated by this article, where it shall not have already been surveyed and established by the mixed commission, according to the [|treaty of Guadalupe], keeping a journal and making proper plans of their operations. For this purpose, if they should judge it necessary, the contracting parties shall be at liberty each to unite to its respective commissioner, scientific or other assistants, such as astronomers and surveyors, whose concurrence shall not be considered necessary for the settlement and of a true line of division between the two Republics; that line shall be alone established upon which the commissioners may fix, their consent in this particular being considered decisive and an integral part of this treaty, without necessity of ulterior ratification or approval, and without room for interpretation of any kind by either of the parties contracting.

The dividing line thus established shall, in all time, be faithfully respected by the two governments, without any variation therein, unless of the express and free consent of the two, given in conformity to the principles of the law of nations, and in accordance with the constitution of each country respectively. In consequence, the stipulation in the [|5th article of the treaty of Guadalupe] upon the boundary line therein described is no longer of any force, wherein it may conflict with that here established, the said line being considered annulled and abolished wherever it may not coincide with the present, and in the same manner remaining in full force where in accordance with the same.

The government of Mexico hereby releases the United States from all liability on account of the obligations contained in the [|eleventh article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]; and the said article and the thirty-third article of the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between the United States of America and the United Mexican States concluded at Mexico, on the fifth day of April, 1831, are hereby abrogated.

In consideration of the foregoing stipulations, the Government of the United States agrees to pay to the government of Mexico, in the city of New York, the sum of ten millions of dollars, of which seven millions shall be paid immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, and the remaining three millions as soon as the boundary line shall be surveyed, marked, and established.

The provisions of the [|6th] and [|7th articles] of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo having been rendered nugatory, for the most part, by the cession of territory granted in the first article of this treaty, the said articles are hereby abrogated and annulled, and the provisions as herein expressed substituted therefor. The vessels, and citizens of the United States shall, in all time, have free and uninterrupted passage through the Gulf of California, to and from their possessions situated north of the boundary line of the two countries. It being understood that this passage is to be by navigating the Gulf of California and the river Colorado, and not by land, without the express consent of the Mexican government; and precisely the same provisions, stipulations, and restrictions, in all respects, are hereby agreed upon and adopted, and shall be scrupulously observed and enforced by the two contracting governments in reference to the Rio Colorado, so far and for such distance as the middle of that river is made their common boundary line by the [|first article] of this treaty.

The several provisions, stipulations, and restrictions contained in the [|7th article] of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo shall remain in force only so far as regards the Rio Bravo del Forte, below the initial of the said boundary provided in the [|first article of this treaty]; that is to say, below the intersection of the 31° 47'30'/ parallel of latitude, with the boundary line established by the late treaty dividing said river from its mouth upwards, according to the [|fifth] article of the treaty of Guadalupe.

All the provisions of the [|eighth] and [|ninth], [|sixteenth] and [|seventeenth] articles of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, shall apply to the territory ceded by the Mexican Republic in the first article of the present treaty, and to all the rights of persons and property, both civil and ecclesiastical, within the same, as fully and as effectually as if the said articles were herein again recited and set forth.

No grants of land within the territory ceded by the first article of this treaty bearing date subsequent to the day-twenty-fifth of September-when the minister and subscriber to this treaty on the part of the United States, proposed to the Government of Mexico to terminate the question of boundary, will be considered valid or be recognized by the United States, or will any grants made previously be respected or be considered as obligatory which have not been located and duly recorded in the archives of Mexico.

Should there at any future period (which God forbid) occur any disagreement between the two nations which might lead to a rupture of their relations and reciprocal peace, they bind themselves in like manner to procure by every possible method the adjustment of every difference; and should they still in this manner not succeed, never will they proceed to a declaration of war, without having previously paid attention to what has been set forth in [|article twenty-one] of the treaty of Guadalupe for similar cases; which article, as well as the twenty-second is here reaffirmed.

The Mexican Government having on the 5th of February, 1853, authorized the early construction of a plank and railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and, to secure the stable benefits of said transit way to the persons and merchandise of the citizens of Mexico and the United States, it is stipulated that neither government will interpose any obstacle to the transit of persons and merchandise of both nations; and at no time shall higher charges be made on the transit of persons and property of citizens of the United States, than may be made on the persons and property of other foreign nations, nor shall any interest in said transit way, nor in the proceeds thereof, be transferred to any foreign government.

The United States, by its agents, shall have the right to transport across the isthmus, in closed bags, the mails of the United States not intended for distribution along the line of communication; also the effects of the United States government and its citizens, which may be intended for transit, and not for distribution on the isthmus, free of custom-house or other charges by the Mexican government. Neither passports nor letters of security will be required of persons crossing the isthmus and not remaining in the country.

When the construction of the railroad shall be completed, the Mexican government agrees to open a port of entry in addition to the port of Vera Cruz, at or near the terminus of said road on the Gulf of Mexico. The two governments will enter into arrangements for the prompt transit of troops and munitions of the United States, which that government may have occasion to send from one part of its territory to another, lying on opposite sides of the continent. The Mexican government having e agreed to protect with its whole power the prosecution, preservation, and security of the work, the United States may extend its protection as it shall judge wise to it when it may feel sanctioned and warranted by the public or international law.

This treaty shall be ratified, and the respective ratifications shall be exchanged at the city of Washington within the exact period of six months from the date of its signature, or sooner, if possible. In testimony whereof, we, the plenipotentiaries of the contracting parties, have hereunto affixed our hands and seals at Mexico, the thirtieth (30th) day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the thirty-third year of the independence of the Mexican republic, and the seventy-eighth of that of the United States.

JAMES GADSDEN, MANUEL DIEZ DE BONILLA JOSE SALAZAR YLARBEGUI J. MARIANO MONTERDE,

And whereas the said treaty, as amended, has been duly ratified on both parts, and the respective ratifications of the same have this day been exchanged at Washington, by WILLIAM L. MARCY, Secretary of State of the United States, and SENOR GENERAL DON JUAN N. ALMONTE, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Mexican Republic, on the part of their respective Governments:

Now, therefore, be it known that I, FRANKLIN PIERCE, President of the United States of America, have caused the said treaty to be made public, to the end that the same, and every clause and article thereof, may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, and of the Independence of the United States the seventy-eighth.

BY THE PRESIDENT: FRANKLIN PIERCE, W. L. MARCY, Secretary of State.