The question “Is Mexico Part Of The United States?” might seem surprising to some, but it reflects a genuine point of curiosity, especially for those unfamiliar with the intricate history of North America. The simple answer is no, Mexico is not part of the United States. It is an independent and sovereign nation. However, to fully understand this answer and dispel any lingering confusion, it’s crucial to delve into the historical relationship between these two countries, particularly the pivotal Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Setting the Boundaries
To understand why Mexico is a separate country from the United States, we need to look back to the mid-19th century and the aftermath of the Mexican-American War. This conflict concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848. This treaty is a foundational document in defining the current geographical relationship between the two nations.
The image displays the first page of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, a historical document that established peace and defined borders between the United States and Mexico.
The treaty’s primary purpose was to officially end the war and establish “firm and universal peace” between the United States and the Mexican Republic, as stated in Article I. Crucially, Article V of the treaty meticulously defines the boundary line between the two republics. This article details a clear and precise border starting from the Gulf of Mexico, following the Rio Grande, westward along the southern boundary of New Mexico, and finally reaching the Pacific Ocean at the division between Upper and Lower California.
This detailed demarcation of the border is the most compelling evidence that Mexico and the United States were intended to be, and remain, separate entities. The treaty doesn’t unite them; it explicitly divides them, drawing a line that persists to this day. Through this treaty, Mexico ceded a significant amount of territory to the United States – land that now comprises parts of states like California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming. This transfer of land is often referred to as the Mexican Cession.
Mexican Citizens in the Transferred Territories
While the treaty resulted in a significant territorial shift, it also addressed the status of Mexican citizens living in the ceded territories. Article VIII and Article IX of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo provided these individuals with choices. They were given the freedom to either:
- Remain in the territories and become citizens of the United States.
- Move to the Mexican Republic and retain their Mexican citizenship.
This is an image of the 1847 Disturnell map, which was included in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to precisely define the boundaries between the United States and Mexico following the Mexican-American War.
Those who chose to remain and not declare their intention to retain Mexican citizenship after one year were automatically considered citizens of the United States. These articles highlight the treaty’s consideration of the people living in the affected areas, ensuring their rights and choices regarding nationality, but again, within the context of clearly defined and separated nations.
Financial Compensation: Article XII and XIII
Beyond territorial adjustments and citizenship considerations, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo also included financial aspects. Article XII stipulated that the United States would pay Mexico fifteen million dollars in compensation for the acquired territories. This payment was a significant sum at the time and reflected the economic considerations tied to the land transfer.
Furthermore, Article XIII addressed claims of US citizens against Mexico. The United States agreed to assume and pay these claims, further solidifying the financial settlements related to the war and the treaty. These financial articles, while not directly addressing the question of whether Mexico is part of the US, are integral to understanding the comprehensive nature of the treaty in settling various aspects of the relationship between the two distinct countries after the war.
Why Mexico is NOT Part of the United States
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo serves as undeniable historical evidence that Mexico is not, and was never intended to be, part of the United States. The treaty was an agreement between two separate nations, defining a border and resolving issues arising from a war fought between them.
Mexico is an independent country with its own government, culture, and identity, completely distinct from the United States. The treaty itself reinforces this separation by establishing a clear boundary and addressing issues of sovereignty and national identity in the aftermath of conflict.
A portrait of Nicholas P. Trist, the U.S. representative who negotiated and signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, a landmark agreement solidifying the separation between Mexico and the United States.
In conclusion, while the history of the United States and Mexico is deeply intertwined, particularly in the 19th century, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo definitively established them as two separate nations. Therefore, to reiterate, Mexico is not part of the United States but a distinct and sovereign country, a fact clearly underscored by the historical agreements that shaped their relationship.
