Why was the Gadsden Purchase necessary in expanding the railroad system of the United States?
The Gadsden Purchase was not directly related to expanding the railroad system of the United States. Instead, it was primarily done to resolve border disputes with Mexico and acquire land for the construction of a southern route for the proposed transcontinental railroad.
In the mid-19th century, various border disputes arose between the United States and Mexico following the Mexican-American War. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war in 1848, had established the Rio Grande as the border between the two countries, but this caused controversy as some claimed that the southern parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico were part of Mexico.
To resolve these disputes and establish a clear border, the United States negotiated the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. Under this agreement, the U.S. government purchased a strip of land, primarily in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico, from Mexico for $10 million. This helped define the border and gave the U.S. control over the region.
Regarding the expansion of the railroad system, the Gadsden Purchase provided a land route that could be used for the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad. At that time, the United States was actively working on the construction of a railroad system that would connect the East and West coasts. The southern route was seen as a viable alternative to the existing northern route, which was facing challenges due to harsh weather conditions and potential conflicts with Native American tribes.
Overall, while the primary purpose of the Gadsden Purchase was to resolve border disputes with Mexico, it indirectly contributed to the expansion of the railroad system by providing a potential route for the southern transcontinental railroad.