Pathway to the Pacific: the Creation of the Arizona Territory – Page 4

The U.S. looks different

The Mexican-American War left Mexico’s economy in shambles. After the Treaty of Hidalgo was ratified in 1848, the United States gained land now known as New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

*Image from The Making of the American Nation; a History of Elementary Schools (1905)*

In the 1850 Compromise, New Mexico and Utah Territories could legalize slavery if the population wanted to, but California was a free state. What we now call Arizona was part of the New Mexico Territory.

The southern states were eager to expand slave labor and secure a southern route to California, but the current international boundary did not facilitate a decent path.

Southerner James Gadsden was tasked with securing more land. In 1853, the Gadsden Purchase was accomplished.