Yes, New Mexico is definitively part of the United States. It’s a state celebrated for its unique blend of cultures, stunning landscapes, and rich history. However, the path to New Mexico becoming a part of the U.S. is an interesting one, rooted in a historical event known as the Gadsden Purchase. This agreement between the United States and Mexico in 1854 played a crucial role in establishing the territorial boundaries we know today, including those of New Mexico and Arizona.
The Gadsden Purchase, also referred to as the Gadsden Treaty, was finalized in 1854. In this agreement, the United States paid Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of land. This land would eventually become part of what we know today as Arizona and New Mexico. Beyond simply acquiring territory, the Gadsden Purchase served several key purposes for the United States at the time. Primarily, it was essential for securing land that was deemed the most suitable route for a southern transcontinental railroad. Furthermore, the purchase aimed to resolve lingering disputes and tensions that remained after the Mexican-American War.
Map Depicting the Gadsden Purchase
A map illustrating the area acquired by the United States in the Gadsden Purchase, highlighting its location relative to present-day Arizona and New Mexico and its significance in shaping the US-Mexico border.
While the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 officially concluded the Mexican-American War, it didn’t entirely dissipate the friction between the United States and Mexico. In the years following, tensions persisted, particularly concerning the Mesilla Valley. Both countries laid claim to this region. Mexico also sought financial compensation from the U.S. for Native American attacks, citing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which stipulated that the United States would protect Mexico from such incursions. However, the U.S. government refused to provide financial compensation, arguing that their obligation was to protect, not to financially reimburse for attacks that occurred. Adding to the strained relations were the continued attempts by American citizens to illegally enter Mexican territory and incite rebellions, hoping to seize land.
These ongoing tensions significantly hampered the United States’ ambition to construct a southern transcontinental railroad. The most geographically advantageous routes invariably traversed Mexican territory. Prior to the Gadsden Purchase negotiations, in 1847, the United States explored purchasing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This narrow strip of land in southern Mexico presented itself as a potential alternative for connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via a southern route. However, Mexico had already granted rights to Mexican businessman Don José de Garay to establish American colonies on the isthmus, financed by the New Orleans Company. Fearing a Texan-style rebellion by these colonists, Mexican President Juan Ceballos revoked the grant, much to the dismay of U.S. investors.
By 1853, the situation escalated when Mexican authorities evicted Americans from properties in the disputed Mesilla Valley. The U.S. government’s inaction prompted Governor William Lane of New Mexico to declare the Mesilla Valley as part of the U.S. territory of New Mexico. Mexican President Antonio de Santa Anna responded by deploying troops into the valley. In an effort to de-escalate the conflict, U.S. President Franklin Pierce dispatched James Gadsden, the newly appointed U.S. Minister to Mexico, to negotiate with Santa Anna. U.S. Secretary of State William Marcy instructed Gadsden to renegotiate the border to secure a route for the southern railroad, resolve U.S. financial liabilities related to Native American attacks, and settle financial claims between the two nations stemming from the Garay project.
Mexican President Antonio de Santa Anna
A historical portrait of Antonio López de Santa Anna, the President of Mexico during the Gadsden Purchase negotiations, highlighting his pivotal role in the land agreement with the United States.
Gadsden and Santa Anna commenced negotiations on September 25, 1853. President Pierce, through agent Christopher Ward, provided Gadsden with flexible negotiating parameters. These ranged from a substantial $50 million offer for a large swathe of territory including lower California and a significant portion of northern Mexico, down to a $15 million proposal for a smaller land acquisition that would still accommodate the desired southern railroad route. Interestingly, Ward misrepresented President Pierce’s instructions to Gadsden, falsely claiming the President wanted the Garay party’s claims addressed in any treaty. In reality, President Pierce opposed government intervention in private company dealings with foreign governments. Santa Anna, while unwilling to cede a large portion of Mexican territory, was in dire need of funds to suppress ongoing rebellions. Consequently, on December 30, 1853, he and Gadsden signed a treaty. This initial treaty stipulated a U.S. payment of $15 million for 45,000 square miles south of the New Mexico territory, with the U.S. assuming private American claims, including those related to the Garay deal. The U.S. also committed to preventing American raids across the Mexican border, and Mexico absolved the U.S. of responsibility for Native American attacks.
However, the treaty faced significant hurdles in the U.S. Senate, exacerbated by growing tensions between the northern and southern states. Ultimately, a revised treaty was ratified by the U.S. Senate on April 25, 1854. This revised version reduced the payment to Mexico to $10 million and the land purchase to 29,670 square miles. It also eliminated any mention of Native American attacks and private claims. President Pierce signed the revised treaty, and Gadsden presented it to Santa Anna, who signed it on June 8, 1854.
Despite the Gadsden Purchase, further border disputes arose, creating tension over U.S. payments. The treaty also failed to fully resolve issues concerning financial claims and border attacks. Nevertheless, the Gadsden Purchase was instrumental in establishing the southern border of the United States as it is known today. This occurred even though many policymakers at the time anticipated further U.S. expansion into Mexico. So, to definitively answer the question, yes, New Mexico is in the United States, and the Gadsden Purchase is a key historical event that shaped its inclusion within the U.S. borders.
