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.

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

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.

Further reading: David Devine’s Slavery, Scandal, and Steel Rails

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Scroll to Top