Lesson 16 of 84 · Westward Expansion
⭐ 30 XPThe Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase of 1853 was a significant event in the context of U.
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The Gadsden Purchase of 1853 was a significant event in the context of U.S. territorial expansion, wherein the United States acquired land from Mexico for $10 million. This purchase included parts of present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico and was primarily motivated by the desire for a southern transcontinental railroad route. The Gadsden Purchase also reflected the continuing tension between the U.S. and Mexico following the Mexican-American War, showcasing the complexities of American expansionism and the geopolitical considerations of the era. The transaction is often viewed as a final piece of the territorial puzzle that completed the continental United States.
Key Facts
The Gadsden Purchase was finalized on June 8, 1854.
The U.S. paid $10 million for the acquired territory.
The land purchased was primarily intended for a southern transcontinental railroad.
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Question 1
1 of 2What was the primary motivation behind the Gadsden Purchase?
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