Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848: Mexico Loses — Reading Comprehension

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848, ending the conflict known as the Mexican-American War. As a result of this treaty, Mexico was forced to give up almost half of its territory to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. This event changed the geopolitical landscape of North America and had lasting consequences for both nations.

One of the main causes of the war was the U.S. desire for expansion. Many Americans believed in the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States was destined to stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific. However, this belief ignored the rights of people already living in these lands. Tensions grew after the United States annexed Texas in 1845, which Mexico still considered its territory. Disputes over the border between Texas and Mexico led to armed conflict in 1846.

From the American perspective, the war was justified as a way to fulfill Manifest Destiny and secure land for settlement. President James K. Polk argued, "Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil." This quote, taken from Polk’s message to Congress in 1846, shows how the U.S. government used the idea of self-defense to gain support for the war. However, many Americans, including members of Congress like Abraham Lincoln, questioned whether the conflict was truly justified or just an excuse to take land.

For Mexico, the war was a disaster. Many Mexican leaders saw the U.S. invasion as an act of aggression and violation of their sovereignty. Mexican soldiers and citizens fought hard to defend their homeland, but Mexico was politically divided and militarily weaker than the United States. The loss of so much territory was a heavy blow to Mexican national pride and created lasting bitterness between the two countries.

The treaty’s terms were harsh for Mexico. In exchange for surrendering more than 500,000 square miles of land, Mexico received $15 million and the U.S. government agreed to respect the property and civil rights of Mexican citizens living in the newly acquired territories. In reality, many of these promises were not kept. Mexican Americans faced discrimination and lost land through unfair legal processes. The transfer of territory also meant that hundreds of thousands of people became citizens of a new country overnight, often without their consent.

Despite its importance, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is remembered differently by each nation. In the United States, the treaty is often seen as a step toward national greatness and expansion. In Mexico, it is viewed as a tragic loss and a symbol of injustice. These contrasting perspectives show the complexity of history and remind us to consider multiple viewpoints when analyzing past events.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo continues to shape debates about borders, identity, and rights in the United States and Mexico today. Understanding the treaty’s causes, terms, and consequences helps us see how decisions made in the past still affect people’s lives now.

Interesting Fact: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in a small town just outside Mexico City called Guadalupe Hidalgo, which gave the treaty its name.

When was the Treaty signed?

Which country lost land in 1848?

What belief motivated U.S. expansion?

What was a cause of the war?

How did the treaty affect Mexican Americans?

Why did President Polk justify the war?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war. True or false?

What does 'sovereignty' mean?