Understanding this time period begins with an understanding of
Manifest Destiny and the ideologies Americans believed regarding expansion. Manifest Destiny is and ideology or attitude prevalent during the 19th Century. The term was coined by John O'Sullivan in The United States Magazine and The Democratic Review in 1845. This ideology was very popular at the time and expressed that Americans were destined, by God, to expand its territories from coast to coast and that there was a moral obligation to extend their type of government
Map of North America Before the Mexican-American War
It is estimated that Mexico last close to half of its territory at the end of the Mexican-American war. Parts or all of the following states were lost to the United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
|
Treaty Of Guadalupe HidalgoThe Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, officially entitled the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement between the United States of America and the Mexico Republic. This treaty was signed on February 2, 1848, in Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo, it is now a neighborhood in Mexico City. This treaty helped to ended the Mexican-American War of 1846 - 1848. This treaty was commissioned by Nicholas P. Trist without authority because he had been recalled back to Washington by President James K. Polk.
Landing of the American forces under Genl. Scott, at Vera Cruz,
March 9th, 1847 Map of Mexico 1848 after the Mexican-American War
|
There are XXIII articles in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, some of which were never ratified and where stricken out. Article V discusses the new boarder and its limits. Article VIII and IX discusses property rights and citizenship rights. This article states that all property owned my Mexicans in the newly acquired U.S. territory will be respected and recognized by the U.S. government. In addition Article VIII states that Mexicans living in this area will have the choice, within 1 year, between retaining Mexican citizenship or becoming U.S. citizens within one year.
Clink below for a copy of the entire Treaty and all its articles Map Depicting land disputed and lost
over 500,000 square miles and doubling the size of the U.S. states at the time. |
Click below to see an interactive timeline starting from before the war until after the war.
PBS Documentary-Quest for a Homeland
This PBS documentary discusses the ideas of Reyes Lopez Tijerina and "The Alianza" which attempted to reclaim lost lands in the 1960's. It also takes a historical view of the civil rights movements by chicanos during this time period.
The Tale of Two Treaties-Article on the effect of the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and NAFTA This article discusses the historical Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the more modern NAFTA agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The writer argues the similarities between the agreements in not addressing issues of immigration and other nationality issues.
|
Article that reviews the creating and drafting of
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo |