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Jump Back in Time Western Expansion & Reform (1829-1859)
 
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Map of the United States of Mexico, 1847.
"Map of the United States of Mexico" used in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

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The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Was Signed In Mexico City
February 2, 1848

"There shall be firm and universal peace between the United States of America and the Mexican Republic, and between their respective Countries, territories, cities, towns and people, without exception of places or persons." -- Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848

Did you know that a large portion of the Western United States used to be a part of Mexico? On February 2, 1848, U.S. and Mexican officials met in Mexico City to sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The agreement brought an end to the Mexican War after nearly two years and extended the U.S. west to the Pacific Ocean with 525,000 square miles of former Mexican territory. The new American territory included present-day Arizona, California, western Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. Along with the 1853 Gadsden Purchase, this treaty completed the expansion of the United States to 48 states. Do you know what events led to the signing of the treaty?

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