Safekipedia

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

The original Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, an important historical document from the Library of Congress that helped shape the borders of the United States and Mexico.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended a difficult time when Mexico and the United States did not get along. It was signed on February 2, 1848, in a town called Guadalupe Hidalgo.

This treaty helped make new borders between the two countries. Mexico agreed to give up lands that are now parts of several U.S. states. These areas include California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

The United States paid Mexico money and promised to help protect people who lived in these lands. Many people from Mexico chose to become U.S. citizens, and others decided to move back to Mexico.

The treaty was approved by leaders in both countries and became official on July 4, 1848. It helped shape the maps we see today and made sure that people’s property rights were protected. The Rio Grande became the southern border of Texas.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is remembered because it changed the size of the United States and brought new lands for people to live in. It also helped end a sad time between the two nations.

Images

Historical map showing the United States of Mexico as defined in 1847, illustrating its political and geographic boundaries.
Historical map of Mexico from 1847 showing Yucatan and Upper California.
Portrait of Manuel de la Peña y Peña, a former president of Mexico.
Map showing the Mexican Cession from a Mexican perspective
Historical map showing the United States territories acquired after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
Portrait of James Knox Polk, the 11th President of the United States.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.