In the 1850s, although Santa Anna did not want to sell any part of Mexico, he needed money. He was busy quelling rebellions. On December 30, 1853, Santa Anna and James Gadsden, in place of President Peirce, signed a treaty stipulating that the United States would pay $15 million for 45,000 square miles south of the New Mexico territory and assume private American claims.
First Treaty
The Gadsden Purchase was signed in Mexico City between James Gadsden, the US Minister to Mexico, and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Mexico’s president. This treaty settled the long dispute over the location of the Mexican border west of El Paso, Texas. It also established the final boundaries of the southern United States. In what is now southern New Mexico and Arizona, the United States ended up acquiring approximately 30,000 square miles of land for $15 million. This was later reduced to $10 million. This purchase provided the land necessary for a southern transcontinental railroad.
Finalization
The US Congress ratified a new treaty in 1854. Under the new treaty, Mexico was paid $10 million, and the land purchased was reduced to 29,670 square miles. Likewise, any mention of Native American attacks and private claims was removed. President Pierce signed the new treaty. Gadsen presented the new treaty to Santa Anna, who signed it on June 8, 1854.
Why Did We Want This Land?
A group of political and industrial leaders considered the southern transcontinental railroad to be a highly strategic location, and Jefferson Davis, the secretary of war under Franklin Pierce, had sent Gadsden to negotiate with Santa Anna for the land. In 1861, four big leaders of western railroad construction—Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker—established the Southern Pacific branch of the Central Pacific Railroad. In exchange for Mexico’s release of U.S. responsibility for Native American attacks, the United States government agreed to prevent raids along Mexico’s border.
In conclusion, it seems we gained the Arizona and New Mexico lands to encourage cross-country transportation by railroads. The deal has been successful, and we appreciate peace-making individuals like Gadsen.
