From: Chris McAtee
Date: 4/6/00
Time: 3:17:15 AM
Remote Name: 216.158.29.113
· Explain why Mexico was important to the United States at this time.
The United States government realized that annexing portions of Mexico and making them part of their own territory would have a tremendous impact on the nation’s economy. By capturing these lands the government was also demonstrating support for many Americans’ belief in Manifest Destiny. Although this physical expansion of the country would come at the cost of a large number of American lives (lost during the Mexican War, 1846-48), the expansion would generate an impact throughout the nation for decades to come. The land gained by the U.S. at the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo increased the area of the country by approximately sixty-six percent, and that figure does not even include Texas, which had already been annexed by Congress in 1845. In addition to Mexico losing nearly half of it’s territory, the treaty also mandated that the U.S. pay Mexico a $15 million indemnity, as well as $3 million in claims to U.S. citizens. Ultimately, the west and southwest would become profitable sources of minerals and other materials, as well as become markets for goods produced in the northeast part of the country. Gold was discovered in northern California in 1848, leading to the California gold rush which brought a great number of people across the country to work, settle, and attempt to get rich quick. Other precious metals were mined in Arizona and Utah. Also located in California are San Diego and San Francisco; two large natural harbors the empty into the vast Pacific Ocean. It would not be long before the U.S. Navy established a strong presence there.